FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: American International School of Vienna Choral Program Invited to Perform Carmina Burana in New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall New York, N.Y. – March 28, 2013 Outstanding music program Distinguished Concerts International New York City (DCINY) announced receives special invitation today that director Kathy Heedles and the American International School Choirs have been invited to participate in a performance of ‘Carmina Burana’ on the DCINY Concert Series in New York City. This performance at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall is on March 10, 2014. These outstanding musicians will join with other choristers to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction. Conductor Vance George will lead the performance and will serve as the clinician for the residency. Why the invitation was extended Dr. Jonathan Griffith, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for DCINY states: “The American International School students and their director received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers on a previous performance of ‘O Fortuna’ from ‘Carmina Burana’. It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in New York. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.” The singers will spend 5 days and 4 nights in New York City in preparation for their concert. “The singers will spend approximately 9-10 hours in rehearsals over the 5 day residency.” says Griffith. “Not all of the time is spent in rehearsals, since there is so much history and culture to see in New York City. However, the performance is the primary purpose for their visit to the city.” Members of the community are encouraged to give financial support in sending these singers to New York by contacting Kathy Heedles at +43 (1) 40132-0 or via email at [email protected]. Guest Conductor Vance George Chorus Director Emeritus of The San Francisco Symphony, VANCE GEORGE is esteemed internationally as one of the preeminent choral conductors of our time, having led concerts throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. In addition to San Francisco, recent performances have been heard in Akron, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Reno, Spokane, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Salzburg and Sydney, as well as at the Berkshire Choral Festival and Ventura Bach Festival. Vance George’s unique range of musical styles, knowledge of languages, mastery of vocal colors and synthesis of choral-orchestral tradition have been lauded by audiences, critics and conductors. His work embodies the legacy of the great maestri and mentors he has known, both as protégé and colleague, especially Kurt Masur, John Nelson, Helmuth Rilling, Edo de Waart, Herbert Blomstedt, Michael Tilson Thomas, Robert Shaw, Julius Herford, Margaret Hillis, Robert Page, Otto-Werner Mueller and Mary Oyer. Born into a farm community in Northern Indiana, near Chicago, Vance George’s musical training began at Goshen College, followed by teaching and conducting adventures in Mussoorie in Northern India at Woodstock School, at the University of Wisconsin, then as Associate Director of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the Blossom Festival School and Kent State University. In 1983, Vance George was appointed Chorus Director of The San Francisco Symphony, resulting in a 23-year, critically acclaimed, award- filled tenure. During this time, the ensemble was consistently hailed as one of the finest in the world, earning Grammy Awards for Best Choral Performance in 1992 (Orff’s Carmina burana) and 1995 (Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem). Other Grammy-winning recordings featuring the San Francisco Symphony Chorus include Stravinsky’s Perséphone and Mahler’s Symphony #3, while the ensemble also garnered Grammy nominations for Mahler’s Symphony #2 and the holiday album, Christmas by the Bay. A televised production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, released on DVD, was honored with an Emmy Award. The discography of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus under Vance George’s direction includes Voices 1900/2000, A Choral Journey Through the 20th Century; John Adams’s Harmonium, with the composer conducting; Mahler’s Das Klagende Lied; Grieg’s Peer Gynt; and a Brahms collection, including Nänie and Schicksalslied. Film soundtracks featuring the Chorus include Amadeus, Godfather II and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Highly sought after as a teacher of conducting, Vance George has taught, led workshops and presented lectures at many prestigious institutions of higher education, including the Eastman School of Music, The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Brooklyn College and the universities of California- Berkeley, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kent State, Massachusetts/Amherst, Western Washington and Wisconsin. He has written on the subject of conducting for The Cambridge Companion to Conducting (Cambridge University Press, 2003), and his article, "Choral Conducting," appeared in the American Choral Director’s Journal (October, 2007). Vance George is a graduate of Goshen College and Indiana University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Musical Arts by Kent State University and a Lifetime Achievement award by Chorus America. In 2011, he received Goshen College’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. George has served on the Board of Chorus America and the National Endowment for the Arts. DCINY Productions Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) is a production company based in New York City. Our concert series includes choral and instrumental concerts in world-class venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall and Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Founded by Iris Derke (General Director) and Jonathan Griffith (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor) DCINY is driven by passion, innovative vision, a total belief in its artists, and unwavering commitment to bringing forth unforgettable audience experiences. Following our motto “The Art of Performance – The Power of Education”, we focus on the educational process while upholding a high performance standard and provide ensembles and conductors of distinction educational and performance opportunities including select solo performances, rehearsal audit, conductor mentoring and debut performances. Tickets For more information on tickets, group sales or other special offers, please contact us at 212-707-8566 Ext. 307, or [email protected]. Contact & Interviews Interviews and additional information may be arranged by contacting Shira Gilbert, PR Representative, at 212.707.8566 Ext. 316, or [email protected]. # # #