Mystic Chorale Celebrates Gospel!

Feb. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- BOSTON, MA--Two-hundred-plus voices strong, Greater Boston’s Mystic Chorale will present “Mystic Chorale Celebrates Gospel” at Converse Hall at Tremont Temple [88 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108] on Saturday, February 27 at 8:00 pm and again on Sunday, February 28 at 3:30 pm.  Guest Director Jonathan Singleton will command the stage to lead the singers and the audience in a magical Gospel program.  General admission tickets at $15.00 and [$10.00 for seniors and students] go on sale January 18 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com; tickets may also be available at the door, day of show.   For more information, call:  781-316-2500.  Converse Hall is wheelchair accessible and is located one block from the Park Street T station, next to the Omni Parker Hotel.

The Mystic Chorale is a non-profit, volunteer-run community chorus based in Arlington, Massachusetts.  The Chorale was founded in 1990 by Melrose and Boston-based composer, conductor, author and song leader Nick Page who was inspired by his experience of working with the world renowned musician, actress and educator, Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell, of the legendary a cappella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock.  

“Mystic Celebrates Gospel” will feature music that stirs the soul and warms the heart!  This eagerly anticipated annual concert offers a mixture of traditional spirituals, traditional gospel and classic modern gospel.  Selections will include the great Negro spiritual Listen To The Lambs, a gospel choral setting of Psalm 150 as originally performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, the traditional gospel piece I've Got Peace Like A River, I've Got The Joy and the gospel classic Goin’ Up Yonder, which was originally performed by gospel pioneer Walter Hawkins.  The Chorale will be accompanied by the Mystic Band, led by Austin Marks on keyboards.  Mr. Marks will be joined by Yusaku Yoshimura also on keyboards, as well as other talented musicians.

About Guest Director Jonathan Singleton:

Guest Director Jonathan Singleton is an in-demand choral director, keyboardist, arranger and conductor.  As a choral director, Singleton has directed the Kuumba Singers of Harvard, The Boston College Voices of Imani and the Berea Seventh Day Adventist Church Inspirational Choir.  In addition, he currently directs Northeastern University’s John D. O’Bryant African American Institute Unity Gospel Ensemble and the Bunker Hill Community College Gospel Choir.  Through these groups, Singleton has sought to preserve and present the rich variety of African-American cultural and musical expression.  Jonathan also is a member of the music staff of the historic Twelfth Baptist Church of Roxbury, where he directs several choral groups including the church’s Youth Choir and the Gospel Ensemble.  
As a jazz and R&B keyboardist, Singleton has worked with many well-known musicians including saxophonist Walter Beasley, singer Valerie Simpson [of Ashford & Simpson], singer Gabrielle Goodman, singer Ollie Woodson of the Temptations and guitarist Chuck Loeb.

As an arranger, Singleton has written musical arrangements for gospel choir and orchestra that have been performed by the Quincy, Melrose and Cape Ann Symphony Orchestras.
Most recently, he was commissioned by the Mystic Chorale to compose a reflection on the Beatitudes.  Thie piece premiered in the fall 2007 Mystic Chorale concert.  In 2005, Jonathan released his first CD, Soul Food. The CD is available on his website, www.jonathansingleton.com


About Founder Nick Page:

Conductor, composer and song leader Nick Page founded The Mystic Chorale in Boston, Massachusetts in 1990.  The two hundred-plus-member chorus now presents concerts which feature sing-a-longs where the audience becomes an equal partner in creating the music.  The Mystic Chorale has presented concerts with audience participation using many cultural themes including South African, Central European, Celtic, Jewish, North American and Latin American, in addition to the annual Gospel sing that features both African-American and white gospel music.  The Chorale has performed in Canada, Europe, New York City, Costa Rica and Ireland.  

In 2006, Nick Page received the Outstanding Choral Musician of the Year award, an honor bestowed on him by the Massachusetts Choral Directors Association.


About the Chorale:

The concept of the Mystic Chorale is to make music a participatory experience by creating a dynamic collaboration among the bold and the shy, the untrained and the trained, the audience with the performers, challenging all to enjoy the experience of singing and making music.  

The Chorale seeks to promote singing as an act of compassion--believing that when we create harmony, we make the world a more beautiful place and in so doing become a healing voice for our communities and ourselves.  

The Chorale also seeks to explore [through song] the musically rich and diverse cultures that abound in the world.

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