The Taylor Festival Choir launches its 2011 – 2012 season with a performance entitled Music from Royal Occasions on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at 3 pm at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (142 Church Street, Charleston).
Directed by Taylor Festival Choir founder, Dr. Robert Taylor, the 90-minute performance will include well-known anthems such as Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Parry’s I Was Glad, and Tavener’s Song for Athene (best known for its inclusion at the funeral of Princess Diana). All selections have been featured at British royal weddings, coronations and funerals, ranging from the Coronations of King George II and Queen Elizabeth II to the weddings of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and last spring’s union between Prince William and Princess Katherine.
“We wanted to celebrate the beautiful music we were able to enjoy not only this past May with Kate and William’s wedding, but also throughout the centuries from the many royal occasions in British history,” Dr. Taylor said, “Our semi-professional choir accompanied by organist Richard Jobe and instrumentalists from the Charleston Symphony will delight the audiences with the uplifting and glorious music. It’s truly fit for a King!”
Purchase your General Admission tickets online or at the door. Tickets are $25 adults, $40 performance and high tea, $10 students (with valid ID).
The 2011-2012 season includes the following performances:
October 2, 2011 – Music for Royal Occasions, 3 pm, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (Charleston)
December 10, 2011 – A Celtic Christmas, Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul (Charleston)
December 11, 2011 – A Celtic Christmas, Holy Spirit Catholic Church (John’s Island)
March 17, 2011 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, To Be Announced
May 6, 2011 – The Animal Kingdom: Murray Sheafer’s Medieval Bestiary and Eric Whitacre’s Animal Crackers
Purchase Single or Season Tickets online or at the door.
Tickets range from $15-$45; student tickets are $10.
About the Taylor Festival Choir:
The Taylor Festival Choir is a semi-professional chamber choir based in Charleston, SC. Founded and conducted by Robert Taylor; the choir is inspired by the life and career of Bob Taylor, the conductor’s late father and a noted choral musician and pedagogue. Since its inception in 2001, the Taylor Festival Choir has been heard in prestigious venues and festivals throughout the US, and has garnered a reputation of excellence among critics and choral specialists alike. Their recent MSR Classics CD release “Sing We Now of Christmas” has been called “a choral feast that will linger long in your memory after you’ve heard it.” In 2009 the Taylor Festival Choir was one of only two American adult chamber choirs featured at the prestigious 2009 American Choral Directors Association National Convention and 50th anniversary celebration.
Part of the Taylor Music Group, which also supports the popular Celtic fiddling ensemble Na Fidleiri, the Taylor Festival Choir presents a full concert season in the Charleston area, and serves as the flagship ensemble for the Festival of Celtic Arts. It also serves as the professional-choir-in-residence at the College of Charleston.
The Taylor Music Group believes that the connection between “high art” and “art of the people” is a sacred one that is vital for the continued viability of all art. The Taylor Music Group also believes that the performing arts are inexorably linked to arts education and instruction. Specifically, the Taylor Music Group supports activities which incorporate “art” music (classical) and “folk” music both in performance and education.