Biola University’s Chorale will perform in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY April 17, 2010 in a performance showcasing the Music of Eric Whitacre. Members of Biola’s choir, also known as Chorale, will join other outstanding choristers to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction, accompanied by Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International.

Eric Whitacre, a prestigious and well known conductor based in Los Angeles, became more publicly known this March with the release of his piece "Lux Aurumque" sung by a virtual choir - 185 YouTube users who auditioned through the social media site. Biola choirs are ecstatic about the prestigious invitation to perform with Whitacre as conductor for the performance and serve as the clinician for the residency. The event will include the World Premiere of The City & The Sea, Whitacre’s setting of poems by E.E. Cummings, commissioned by the DCINY Premiere Project. 

WHY THE INVITATION WAS EXTENDED: Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for Distinguished Concerts International New York, eloquently states why the Biola University choirs were invited to perform: “The Biola University Choirs received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and the exceptional recommendations given by Ms. Stewart’s choral colleagues. It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in Carnegie Hall. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”

WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING: The singers will spend 5 days and 4 nights in New York City in preparation for their concert. “The singers will spend approximately 9-10 hours in rehearsals over the 5 day residency.” says Griffith.

BIO OF MAESTRO WHITACRE: Mr. Eric Whitacre is an accomplished composer, conductor and lecturer, he has quickly become one of the most popular and performed composers of his generation. To date, Whitacre's published works have received thousands of performances and have sold well over 750,000 copies worldwide. A 2006 Grammy-nominated collection of his a cappella choral music, Cloudburst and Other Choral Works remains a top-seller two years after its release. Most recently, Whitacre has received acclaim for Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings, a cutting edge musical combining anime and electronica with choral, cinematic, and operatic traditions. Upcoming commissions include works for the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (with Whitacre conducting).

Whitacre lives in Los Angeles with his wife, 2009 Grammy Award winning soprano Hila Plitmann, and their son. Interviews and additional information may be arranged by contacting Julie Kostrey, at 212.707.8566, x 306, or Julie@DCINY.org.

TICKET AND PRESS INFORMATION: Tickets ranging from $20 - $100 may be purchased by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting www.carnegiehall.org.  For more information on VIP packages, group sales or other special offers, please call 212-707-8566, Ext. 307 or BoxOffice@DCINY.org.  Further concert details for this event and other DCINY Productions can be found at http://www.dciny.org/2010-opportunities. Press inquiries and interviews may be arranged by contacting Arupa Gopal 212-707-8566, Ext. 308 or Arupa@DCINY.org.