This process in Eastern Nazarene College’s case is guided by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. ENC established formal teach-out partnerships with five schools along with a secondary list of approximately 30 more schools that were offering help…
A Cappella Choir performs “Candlelight Christmas” at Bethany Congregational Church in Quincy
About ENC A Cappella Choir
Established by Professor Esther Williamson in 1938, the ENC A Cappella Choir regularly presents concerts in churches, universities, and public and private high schools throughout the Eastern Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene. As part of the institutional mission of Eastern Nazarene College, the A Cappella Choir strives to embody academic excellence and encourages each member to become a redemptive force in the world. It provides students from a variety of majors an opportunity to perform the great choral works, improve their musicianship, and grow in faith within a positive environment. Those specifically involved in pre-professional music curricula are able to acquire the ensemble background necessary for a career in choral music. Closely aligned with these high musical goals is the desire to bring glory to God through all the music studied and sung, whether sacred or secular. In the Christian college context, there is no conflict between high educational ideals and the Christian faith.
In recent years, the A Cappella Choir has appeared in multiple performances at Carnegie Hall and Jordan Hall of New England Conservatory. The spring of 2011 was the choir’s first appearance at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall performing the Fauré Requiem.
For questions about the A Cappella Choir, please contact Dr. Timothy Shetler.
About ENC Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers of Eastern Nazarene College, an honors ensemble of the ENC A Cappella Choir, perform challenging choral selections from the chamber literature. Each fall, emphasis centers upon music of the European Renaissance culminating with presentations of Renaissance Madrigal Feasts. The spring semester broadens the focus to chamber music of the 19th century or selected 20th century compositions featured during concert series appearances and exchange concerts.
In alternating years, the Chamber Singers have toured internationally during the months of January or May. Throughout the concert season, the Chamber Singers contribute a variety of selections during each ENC A Cappella Choir appearance.
The ENC Chamber Singers May 2011 tour includes Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. The Chamber Singers’ January Tour of 2009 included Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria and Switzerland. In January of 2007, the Chamber Singers toured Great Britain, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France with Dr. Richard Fish as tour coordinator. In January of 2005, the Chamber Singers toured Fiji and Hawaii in coordination with the International Church of the Nazarene. Tour locations for the Chamber Singers International Tour in January 2003 included San Diego, Ensenada (Mexico), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Acapulco (Mexico), Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Belize City (Belize), Panama Canal (Panama), Playa Del Carmen (Mexico), Cosumel (Mexico), and Miami. Included in the cruise portion of the tour was a lecture series including topics such as art, archeology, political science, language study, and history of the various ports of call. During January of 2001, the Chamber Singers toured the United Kingdom and Holland. This tour followed a 1999 international tour to Romania, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. Special appearances included performances with two major orchestras of Romania with Dr. Shetler conducting: George Enescu National Philharmonic of Bucharest and Sibiu State Orchestra. Special concerts during past tours included the Cologne Cathedral, St. Thomas Kirche of Leipzig, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral of London, and the Leadership Conference for the Church of the Nazarene – Eurasia Region.
The ENC Chamber Singers appeared as part of the larger ENC A Cappella Choir in concert at Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall of New York City, and Jordan Hall of the New England Conservatory located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Recordings
Recordings of the ENC A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers, both conducted and produced by Dr. Shetler, include Brahms’ Requiem with Tufts University and Wheaton College, Candlelight Christmas, Centennial Celebration of ENC – Live at Jordan Hall, Centennial Celebration II – Live from Jordan Hall Part II, Choral Masterworks – Live at Jordan Hall, Encore! – a double CD archive from the A Cappella Choirs of 1972-1982, Free at Last! – favorite spirituals, Great Day! with more of our favorite spirituals, Music of Billings and Bach – Live from Jordan Hall, Out of the Ordinary – a fun CD with the Chamber Singers’ favorite sacred and secular selections, and Sing We at Pleasure – a celebration of madrigals and folk songs. Also available is Fauré’s Requiem conducted by Dr. Shetler and performed by members of the New England Conservatory Chorus. Produced in the spring of 2010 is a double CD of selections from Jordan Hall Concerts in 2004-2006, and 2009 and from recording sessions in 2003 entitled Classic Journey.
The Chamber Singers perform in 2012 at King Richard’s Faire in Carver, MA
