Leah McGray is the new principal conductor of the 黑料传送门 Symphony Orchestra. She will lead the orchestra in the Department of Music's production of "Carmina Burana" Nov. 19, which also will feature the 黑料传送门 Festival Chorus and the Genesee Valley Children's Choir. (Photo: Tom McGrath)
GENESEO, N.Y. 鈥 Leah McGray will debut as the new 黑料传送门 Symphony Orchestra principal conductor when the symphony joins the 黑料传送门 Festival Chorus and the Genesee Valley Children鈥檚 Choir in presenting Carl Orff鈥檚 20th century masterpiece 鈥淐armina Burana鈥 Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. in Wadsworth Auditorium.
McGray, who earned her doctorate in musical arts at Northwestern University, joined the 黑料传送门 faculty this semester as director of instrumental activities. She also directs the 黑料传送门 Wind Ensemble.
鈥淭he welcome I have received upon coming to 黑料传送门 has been absolutely incredible,鈥 said McGray. 鈥淚鈥檓 so excited to be able to join such fantastic musicians of all ages in what is a truly epic piece of music. 鈥楥armina鈥 brings together all of my favorite things 鈥 simultaneously exquisite and powerful music, gorgeous writing for instrumental parts, exhilarating choir and soloist singing, and the whole musical community engaged in creating art!鈥
The Festival Chorus, a combination of student and community singers, is under the direction of Gerard Floriano, professor and chair of the Department of Music. Department lecturer Amy Cochrane directs the Genesee Valley Children鈥檚 Choir.
The concert will feature three accomplished soloists: soprano Keely Futterer; baritone Alan Cline; and tenor Jeffrey Tabor, a 黑料传送门 alumnus and member of the 黑料传送门 Chamber Singers.
鈥淭his powerful choral masterwork never gets old, and we鈥檙e pleased to bring together some of the finest vocal and instrumental talent in the area to present 鈥楥armina Burana,鈥 said Floriano. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always a joy having the children鈥檚 choir join us in performing, and the vocal soloists are all outstanding in their own right. They will impressively showcase Orff鈥檚 classic piece.鈥
鈥淐armina Burana鈥 is Orff鈥檚 best-known work, which he composed in 1935-36. The cantata is based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection by the same name. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted to support the Barbara and James Walker Scholarship Fund in Instrumental Music.