Carleton College is pleased to present a performance by the acclaimed I Cantanti Chamber Choirs on Sunday, April 27 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Concert Hall. The program, entitled “Mass Appeal,” will be preceded by a short discussion of the works being presented at 7:10 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Led by conductor Wayne Kivell, the concert will feature settings of the modern Mass, all composed in the last 50 years. The program includes Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo for mixed voices and strings; Mass for Women’s Voices by György Orbán; and an eclectic mass, with movements by Glenn McClure, John Ness Beck, Leonard Bernstein, Craig Courtney and William Albright.
I Cantanti (The Singers) is a mixed 36-voice community ensemble from Northfield area. Founded in 1988, the choir is dedicated to fine performances of all types of choral literature. Although membership is gained by audition, it is a true amateur ensemble in that neither singers nor director receive any monetary compensation. The ensemble exists for the love of choral singing and has attained a solid reputation of excellence.
Wayne Kivell, a graduate of Luther College, has received an MS degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an MFA in musicology from the University of Minnesota, specializing in Renaissance and Early Music. He has done additional study at numerous workshops under Robert Shaw, Roger Wagner, William Vennard, Douglas McEwen, Norman Luboff, Paul Salamunovich and B. R. Henson.
In 1994, Kivell completed 33 years of music education, the last 25 years at Northfield High School. From 1975 to 1983 he was assistant conductor of the Dale Warland Singers. From 1983-1988 he founded and conducted an early music ensemble in Minneapolis. Choirs under his direction have twice performed as guest choirs at the Luther College Dorian Music Festival, four times at Minnesota Music Educators, and six times at a state or divisional convention of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).
Kivell is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association, and is also a member of the NEA, MMEA, and MENC. He has long been active in ACDA, having served as district chair, membership chair, newsletter editor, state president, North Central division president, division convention chair, national chair of the high school repertoire and standards committee, and national convention coordinator. In 2009 he retired after 12 years as the first Executive Director for ACDA of Minnesota.
In 2000, Kivell was awarded the F. Melius Christiansen Award for lifetime conducting experience and distinguished service to choral music in Minnesota by the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota.
This event is sponsored by the Carleton College Department of Music. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-4475. The Concert Hall is located on First Street between Nevada and Winona Streets in Northfield.