Welcome to the second e-newsletter of Voces Novae et Antiquae
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A message from Artistic Director Robert A.M. Ross
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Af ter a season-long absence, Voces Novae et Antiquae shall return to presenting performances in the newly-renovated Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, where we have been in ensemble-in-residence since the Fall of 1994. Many of you, though, have never heard the story of how our residency came about.
In our early days, one of our sopranos was Deborah Kuprunas who, aside from her singing work for us, also worked as a life-model at Fleisher for various drawing and painting classes. One day she told Fleisher Assistant Director Nancy Wright about VNA and what we were doing, and Nancy indicated she’d be interested in seeing some materials and hearing some recordings. So I compiled a press kit and dropped it off.
Apparently, several days later, Nancy reviewed our press kit, went down to one of the classes where Deb was modelling (in the nude, no less), pulled her out of the session, and started firing all sorts of questions at her along the lines of: “Who is this group? Why haven't I heard of them before? How long have they been around? Shouldn't they be performing here?” etc.
This eventually led to Nancy and Executive Director Thora Jacobson attending what was our second Gregorian Heritage program (consisting of choral works incorporating or influenced by Gregorian chant) in May of 1994, which was followed by a meeting with them the following week, which led to the establishment of our residency. So we are fond of telling the story of how Deb Kuprunas “took her clothes off and got us our Fleisher residency.” (Deb now lives in Florida and we hear from here once every so often.)
If you're not familiar with the Fleisher Art Memorial and its programs, visit their website, and, of course, come hear our performances this season at Fleisher!
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Renovations at the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial include an expanded lobby area, with glass doors overlooking Cianfrani Park on the west side, as well as a new elevator.
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This month's featured singer: Corbin Abernathy, countertenor
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Co rbin Abernathy was born in and raised near Atlanta, GA and originally came to Philadelphia in 1998 after accepting the position of Director of Music at St. Peter's School in Society Hill. He held this post for four years until 2002. After leaving St. Peter's School, Corbin accepted a post teaching Drama and Music at the Bulmershe School in the UK and held that post for two years, finally returning to the US and Philly in 2004. All in all, Corbin's formal teaching career spanned fourteen years in both the US and abroad.
As a countertenor, Corbin has been a soloist with Philadelphia Bach Festival in the 2002 presentation of the St. Matthew Passion, as a guest artist with the Music Educators’ Association annual convention in NJ, the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, and the Islington Choral Society in London. Other solo performances include Leonard Bernstein’s The Lark and Chichester Psalms, as well as Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. As a chorister, Corbin has sung with Robert Shaw in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, held numerous church soloist positions, and performed with local choral organizations including Trinitas and Ancient Voices.
As an actor and singing/actor, Corbin has performed extensively at the regional level and has been most recently seen by Philadelphia audiences at the Prince Music Theatre in Anyone Can Whistle, with the Villanova Theatre as “Mary Sunshine” in Chicago, with the PGLTF at the Arden in the premiere production of YANK!, and in the role of “Clotaldo” in Sueno with Philadelphia Premiere Arts and Artists as well as Philly Fringe productions in both 2004 and 2005. He will be performing the role of “Archibald” in The Secret Garden at Plays and Players in late September. Some of his favorite roles include “Twimble/Womper” in How To Succeed..., “Mr. Kraler” in The Diary of Anne Frank, “Jim Bayliss” in All My Sons, and “Hermocrate” in The Triumph of Love.
Voces Novae et Antiquae has provided Corbin opportunities rarely encountered in other choral organizations. “I feel that the level of musicianship and choral artistry is not currently equaled in the Philadelphia area at present. The commitment to engaging ‘smaller’ voices and an emphasis on concepts of blend, balance as well as textual communication and sensitivity are extremely compelling for me. The high degree of specific ensemble work is extraordinary. We are not a bunch of soloists who happen to sing at the same time. I love it!”
Corbin earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from the University of Miami in 1993 and his Master of Performing Arts in Drama from Oklahoma City University in 1998 as well as having studied choral/instrumental conducting at both UM and OCU. He is currently a Performance and Private Drama coach and Music Educator in Philadelphia.
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Look at our web site
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| Additions to our web site, www.vocesnovaeantiquae.org, include one more sound recording and our 2005-2006 season page. |
Support Voces Novae et Antiquae
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| The Voces Novae et Antiquae Online Store, at http://www.cafepress.com/VNAshop, features T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and other items with the VNA logo, as well as our exclusive “Real Men Sing Countertenor" design. |
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Amazon.com offers a wide selection of books, music, electronics, kitchen equipment, and other merchandise. The next time you shop at Amazon, go first to
http://www.vocesnovaeantiquae.org/Support-us.html
Click on the Amazon.com button, and you will be taken to Amazon's home page. Continue shopping as usual. VNA will receive a percentage of the amount of your purchase.
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