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Larry
Parsons Chorale |
2003-2004 Season
The Miracle of Love
Saturday, October 11
First Methodist Church
1001 Juliana Street
Parkersburg
7:30 pm
Sunday, October 12
WV Center for the Choral Arts
508 E. Pike Street
Clarksburg
4:00 pm
Festival of Lessons and
Carols
with Chanticleer Children's Chorus & Madrigal
Singers of Clarksburg
Saturday, December 20
Sacred and Profane
Saturday, February 28 - Charleston
Sunday, February 29 - Clarksburg
Want to audition? Call WV Choral Arts at 624-SATB or email Larry Parsons
MISSION & HISTORY
Now in its 24nd season, The
Larry Parsons Chorale has enjoyed an excellent reputation performing a broad
spectrum of music in professional caliber performances. Under the direction of Dr. Larry R. Parsons, the singers have
demonstrated their steadfast commitment to the performance of the highest
quality, most effective choral music possible. LPC shows their strong commitment to the performance of twentieth
century American music by performing standard twentieth century selections as
well as new, cutting edge contemporary pieces. Each year one concert is devoted to American music.
As a result of that commitment, LPC has been involved in some
high-profile music endeavors. In 1993, the Chorale was invited to perform at Sound Encounters, the international
contemporary music festival. As the only choral ensemble selected to perform, LPC is now nationally recognized as an
extraordinary interpreter of contemporary music. The Chorale has performed six times with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony,
most recently in 1999 premiering a work by American composer Edwin London as
part of the Symphony's birthday celebration for Mr. London. As the sole choral ensemble performing that evening, LPC premiered Mr.
London's work, In The Firmament to critical acclaim.
The Chorale's season is
centered in Harrison County, West Virginia. However, LPC performs throughout the state, presenting concerts in
Charleston, Morgantown, Wheeling, Huntington and Beckley. Touring concerts have led to appearances on Artist Concert series in
Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio. The singers come from all over West Virginia and represent a diverse range of
occupations and backgrounds. Long recognized in West Virginia as a gifted ensemble of professional-level choral
musicians, LPC has achieved the same reputation on a much larger scale.
Artistic
Director, Dr. Larry Parsons
For three decades, Dr. Larry Parsons has made a career of building, expanding
and elevating the quality of choral music in West Virginia. Dr. Parsons received degrees from Kansas Wesleyan University, Southern
Methodist University and the University of Illinois. He has studied with such distinguished teachers as Dr. Lloyd Pfautsch,
Dr. Harold Decker, Eugene Conley, Richard Owens and William Warfield. In 1968, Dr. Parsons assumed teaching responsibilities at West Virginia
Wesleyan College, where he is currently Professor of Voice and Director of Choral Activities. He conducts
three major choral ensembles, regularly teaches conducting, introduction to
opera for the non-music major, and choral literature. In 1985, Dr. Parsons and three colleagues founded Camerata Appalachia, a
choral ensemble providing singers with an experience in choral arts and the
humanities of the United Kingdom. Dr. Parsons was appointed the first conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Chorus
in 1985. Ever a champion of new music, Parsons has commissioned 15 choral works over the past twenty years.
His choirs have performed these innovative works as well as mastering the challenges of choral music of the twentieth century with a goal of bringing to
listeners a love of the art of the twentieth century.
Copyright 2002 WV Choral Arts
Foundation
508 E. Pike Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
304-624-SATB (7282)
Webmaster: Carole Carter
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