Choral Programs
Angels in Training
Angels in Training: Classes are based on creative instruction designed to develop music and performance skills. Each session includes a segment of ear training and basic theory, musical activities, movement, and repertoire.
Ages 4-8
Advanced Angels: These young choristers learn musical vocabulary and quality repertoire appropriate for their ability. In both Training Choirs, a sense of commitment, cooperation, friendship and leadership are important elements that go hand-in hand with developing musical skills. When students in the Advanced Angels show considerable musical skill along with commitment, cooperation, and leadership, they will be recommended to audition for the Chorus Angelicus Junior Choir.
Ages 8-12
Junior Choir
This choral ensemble will continue to advance their knowledge of choral singing and vocal techniques as well as music literacy. Rehearsals are twice a week from September to June, and the choir performs several times each year, both independently and in conjunction with the Angels in Training and Senior Choirs of Chorus Angelicus. In addition to singing, the choristers spend their rehearsal time strengthening their musicianship skills, developing friendships, and becoming independent young leaders.
Ages 9-14
Senior Choir
The Senior Chorister level is the top level within Chorus Angelicus. They are the most expert singers in the group and they are the primary performing choir of the JNI program. Senior Choristers must be willing to commit to making their participation in Chorus Angelicus a top priority in their lives, with all the privileges and responsibilities involved. The seriousness of this commitment is essential to the quality of Chorus Angelicus. Performances include annual concerts, symphonic performances, television/ radio appearances, recordings, tours, etc.
Ages 12-18
Gaudeamus
Gaudeamus is an adult chamber choir of professional and semi-professional free lance singers formed in 1992. This choir performs in conjunction with Chorus Angelicus, providing the alto, tenor and bass parts, and giving the younger choristers the opportunity to experience singing such masterworks as Bach’s St. John Passion and Mass in BMinor, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Britten’s Saint Nicholas, and Schnittke’s Requiem. In recent years, programs featuring Brahms’ A German Requiem, Finzi’s Lo, the full final sacrifice, David Briggs’Requiem (CT Premiere) and the Magnificat, Missa Brevis and In Sure And Certain Hope by Nicholas White have been presented to enthusiastic audiences throughout Connecticut.
Gaudeamus also performs alone, without Chorus Angelicus, and has recently presented works as diverse as Monteverdi’s Missa Brevis, Bach’s Jesu, Meine Freude, Herbert Howells’ Requiem, Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice In The Lamb and the Connecticut Premiere of Nicholas White’s The Aim Was Song. Gaudeamus is also know for its exploration of world choral music with instrumentalists from all over the world, and is featured with folk legend Pete Seeger on his Grammy Award-winning CD, Pete. More recently, the group was invited by SONY/Pioneer to record an album of a capella masterworks to demonstrate the newest surround-sound technology. Entitled Sacred Feast, this DMP release has won high praise from Billboard Magazine, Pro Audio Magazine, and high-end audiophiles the world over.
