American Reflections – 20th and 21st Century Choral Music | Argento: Walden Pond; Alwood, Copland, Kelley, Lauridsen, Lowry, Runestad and Whitacre

Product Description American Reflections is a collection of live recordings made by the St. Charles Singers during our concert tour of England in 2017. It was our great joy to share this music with our friends overseas, and to perform it in magnificent spaces. The works by Argento, Erb and Lauridsen were performed and recorded in the Ripon Cathedral; the Gibbs and Siegfried at St. James’ Church in Piccadilly, the Chapman and Whitacre at the Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House, and the Fine, Hawley, Kirchner and Runestad at the Durham Cathedral. Now, it is our great joy to share this music with you. [-Jeffrey Hunt] Jeffrey Hunt brings his focus on outstanding repertoire, communicative performances and sincere singing to his programs, and is known for his lively yet always sensitive guidance of his choir. As founder and Music Director of the St. Charles Singers, Hunt’s emphasis on musicality with understanding, imagination, and transparency creates beautifully polished and endearing performances by an ensemble known for exquisite singing. Hunt, in addition to directing the St. Charles Singers, is Director of Music at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, serves as adjunct faculty at Elgin Community College, is active in several choral directors’ associations and maintains an active voice studio. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University. The St. Charles Singers is a professional choral organization under the leadership of Jeffrey Hunt. Dedicated to the performance, promotion and preservation of the finest choral music, this highly acclaimed choir engages singers from the Chicago area to inspire audiences with riveting and captivating concerts and recordings. Placing a strong emphasis on collaboration, the ensemble regularly performs with the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra, most notably with their recent and historic undertaking of The Mozart Journey, a 17-concert series through which the complete known body of the composer’s sacred choral works will be performed and recorded. In the summer of 2017, St. Charles Singers gave its debut solo performance at the prestigious summer Ravinia Festival. Based in St. Charles, Illinois, the choir gives subscription concerts in Chicago and throughout the surrounding region, performs at national choral conventions, tours internationally and can be heard on four commercial recordings. The mission of St. Charles Singers is to perform, promote and preserve the finest choral music to inspire diverse audiences regionally, nationally and internationally. Review The St Charles Singers are a national treasure. I’ve heard a lot of chamber choirs both in concert and on CD and this is is one of the best. –American Record Guide Enthralling is the single word I must use to describe American Reflections. –Cherry Grove Music Review The St. Charles Singers skillfully highlight the emotional high points of each piece. Sincerity is the watchword here: the singers do not sound as if they are just going through the paces of performances, but are genuinely trying to bring the emotional content of the words and music across to the audience. This is a fine chorus that sings very well. –InfoDad