Founded and directed by Jeffrey Hunt, the St. Charles Singers is a chamber choir dedicated to choral music in all its forms. Hailed by American Record Guide as “a national treasure,” the mixedvoice ensemble, formed in 1984, includes professional singers, choral directors, and voice instructors, some of whom perform with other top-tier Chicago choirs. Classics Today has called the ensemble “one of North America’s outstanding choirs,” citing “charisma and top-notch musicianship” that “bring character and excitement to each piece.” Music director and founder Jeffrey Hunt joins WFMT to share critically acclaimed performances by St. Charles Singers in advance of the ensemble’s 40th anniversary season finale. Learn more about the concerts on April 12 and 13 HERE.
The St. Charles Singers
Playlist
All selections performed by the St. Charles Singers conducted by Jeffrey Hunt.
Traditional English arr. John Rutter: “Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron”
Anton Bruckner: Locus iste, WAB 23
Charles Villiers Stanford: “The Blue Bird”
Traditional American arr. Aaron Copland: “Long Time Ago” (version for choir and three cellos by Jeffrey Hunt)
with cellists from the Royal Academy of Music
Traditional American arr. Ron Nelson: “He’s Gone Away”
with Stephen Hartman, harp
Traditional American arr. Robert Lowry: “Beautiful River”
Benjamin Britten: Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27
Marybeth Kurnat, soprano
Debra Wilder, contralto
Robert Campbell, tenor
Antonio Quaranta, bass
Traditional American arr. Rutter: “Black Sheep”
Karen Rockett, soprano
John Rutter: Fancies
I. Tell me, where is fancy bred
III. The Urchins’ Dance
with the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra
Jake Runestad: “Why the Caged Bird Sings”
Marybeth Kurnat, soprano
