Westminster-to-go Podcasts

Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller and Marjorie Herman discuss the repertoire and theme of the Westminster Choir's January 2019 tour program titled Half Acre.Taking its title from Dan Messé's lyrical song Half Acre, the program includes choral masterworks ranging from Claudio Monteverdi’s Hor che’l ciel e la terra to Ted Hearne’s thought-provoking Consent to Ēriks Ešenvalds’ evocative Long Road, as well as American folk songs and spirituals.

Conductor Joe Miller and producer Malcolm Bruno discuss the repertoire and concept behind Westminster Choir’s new recording.In his Mass for Double Choir, Frank Martin's use of a motet in the style of J.S. Bach juxtaposed with his sonic and exotic harmonic palette of the early 20th century is a formula for exciting music.This is the first recording of Anders Öhrwall’s arrangement of the beloved Swedish folk tune Fäbodpsalm från Dalarna, and it’s distinguished by performances by David Kim, Concertmaster for The Philadelphia Orchestra, and soprano Sherezade Panthaki, an acknowledged star in the early music field.It also contains much-anticipated release of Lux Surgit Aurea (See the golden sun arise), which was composed by Bernat Vivancos for the Westminster Choir to perform at the 2017 World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona.

Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to discuss the repertoire and theme of the Westminster Choir’s 2018 tour program, titled “Listen.” Centered on Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, one of the great masterworks of the 20th century’s a cappella repertoire, the program introduces the audience another sound world with a performance of György Ligeti’s Lux Aeterna, made famous in Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001 – A Space Odyssey. Other works include Little Lamb by Joel Phillips and works by Edward Bairstow, Nilo Alcala, Tim Brent and Randall Thompson.

Conductor Amanda Quist discusses the repertoire and the theme of "Lumina," Westminster Kantorei's recording, with WWFM's The Classical Network's David Osenberg.From a stunning single line of chant to the explosive polyphony of William Byrd and J.S. Bach, each of the works on this recording is in some way related to light’s presence in our life journey: exploring faith, death, love and transcendence.Repertoire spans the mystical 12th-century chant of Hildegard von Bingen through the Renaissance and Baroque eras, plus two Romantic-period gems based on the compositional styles of those earlier composers.

Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to discuss the theme and repertoire for the Westminster Choir’s 2017 tour program, titled “A Thousand Years to Live” and the “Today I Will” project. From traditional shape-note singing to Paul Crabtree’s The Valley of Delight: Death and Resurrection, the concert explores the gifts and challenges each day presents to the world. The program also includes Uģis Prauliņš’ Laudibus in sanctis, Johannes Brahms’ Abendständschen, and much more.

Nigel Short, founder of Tenebrae, a virtuosic choir that enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles, joins Westminster Choir Conductor Joe Miller to reflect on his career – first as a singer and later a conductor - and his approach to creative programing and audience engagement.

Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to discuss the theme and repertoire for the Westminster Choir’s 2016 tour program, titled “Angel Band.” The innovative program will center around Francis Poulenc’s monumental Mass in G Major, whose movements will serve as a frame upon which a musical tapestry will be woven of works by Debussy, Brahms, Dawson and Antognini. A connecting thread will be the traditional American hymn O Come, Angel Band:O, come, angel band,Come and around me stand;O, bear me away on your snowy wingsTo my eternal home.

Jerry McCoy, Music Director of Schola Cantorum of Texas, joins Westminster Choir College conductors Joe Miller and Amanda Quist to reflect on his career path, preparing the next generation of choral conductors and his commitment to life-long learning. Jerry McCoy is Regents Professor of Music Emeritus for the University of North Texas, home of one of America’s foremost choral studies and performance programs. He also has served as a member of the American Choral Directors Association’s National Executive Committee and was the ACDA president from 2009-2011.

Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to discuss the theme and repertoire for the Westminster Choir’s 2015 tour program. Titled “The Invention of Love,” the program explores what inspires man to create, invent and cultivate ideas that can change the world – featuring Urmas Sisask’s mystical Oremus, Eric Whitacre’s compelling Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, the revolutionary passion of Monteverdi’s Si chi’io vorrei morire.

Renowned conductor Maria Guinand joins Joe Miller, Director of Choral activities at Westminster College of Rider University, to discuss her career; movement and singing; and their shared vision for bringing the choral community together. Former Associate Conductor and Advisor of Choral Symphonic Performances and Activities for Venezuela’s ‘El Sistema’ and a professor and conductor at the University Simón Bolívar, she conducts the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela and travels throughout the world to share her knowledge of Latin American choral music.

Conductor James Jordan discusses choral music, composition and the power of music with Paul Mealor, hailed by The New York Times as “the most important composer to have emerged in Welsh choral music since William Mathias.” In 2011 his album A Tender Light topped the U.K. Classical Charts for six weeks. That same year he also broke records by being the first classical composer to hold the No. 1 place on both the Classical and Pop charts.

Simon Halsey, Chief Conductor of the Berlin Radio Choir and Choral Director of the London Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Chorus, joins Westminster Choir Conductor Joe Miller to reflect choral conducting, choral teaching and choral music’s relevance in today’s world.

Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to discuss the theme and repertoire for the Westminster Choir’s 2014 tour program. Titled “Legends,” the program is centered on Eriks Esenvalds' The Legend of the Walled-In Woman, and also includes Brahms' Nänie, Elder's Elegy, and Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas.

Richard Bjella, Director of Choral Studies at Texas Tech University and a 2013 Visiting Artist at Westminster Choir College, joins Westminster Director of Choral Activities Joe Miller to discuss repertoire and performance practice.

Composer Daniel Elder and Westminster Choir conductor Joe Miller explore the music featured in the Westminster Choir's new recording - The Heart's Reflection: Music of Daniel Elder - released in October 2013.

Westminster Choir conductor joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to discuss the repertoire and themes for the Westminster Choir's 2013 tour program. Entitled "Appear and Inspire," it includes Benjamin Britten's choral masterwork Hymn to St. Cecelia, as well as works by Holst, Bach, Lauridsen and more.

Conductor and composer André J. Thomas joins Westminster Choir Conductor Joe Miller to reflect on his career, his commitment to education and music from the African American experience.

Conductor Charlene Archibeque joins Westminster Choir College Director of Choral Activities Joe Miller to discuss her career and approach to repertoire selection and performance practice.

Composer Tarik O'Regan discusses his work with Westminster Choir College faculty member Amanda Quist. The conversation includes a new arrangement of Triptych for the women of the Westminster Symphonic Choir and The Ecstasies Above.

Maestro Joe Miller joins WWFM The Classical Network host David Osenberg to preview the Westminster Choir's 2012 tour of the South and preview performances in Quakertown, Pa. and Princeton, NJ.