Erika Rayer a WNY native, is a recent graduate of SUNY Fredonia where she received a BS in Audio/Radio Production. During her time at Fredonia, Erika sang with select choirs under the direction of Dr. Gerald Gray and performed great masterworks including Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Bach’s St. John Passion. In February 2014, Erika received the honor of performing Vaughn Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with a guest chorus in Carnegie Hall. Erika has been a proud member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus since Fall 2015.
0 Comments
Katy Jacobi has been singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus for 4 years now as both a Soprano II and Alto I. She is originally from the Buffalo area and graduated from SUNY at Fredonia in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Music with Young Children. Outside of the BPC, she sings in her church choir at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Williamsville and also as a cantor at Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sloan. She works full-time in Customer Service at Key Bank. One of her favorite memories with the BPC is singing the Messiah at OLV Basilica every year at Christmastime. It’s such a beautiful church to sing this piece in. This is my 10th year with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and my 8th year as the Alto Section Leader. I am from WNY and a graduate of Kenmore East High School. I attended college in WNY starting at SUNY UB but transferred to Niagara County Community College. I graduated with high honors from NCCC with a degree in Fine Arts with a music concentration. From there, I went to SUNY Fredonia for Sound Recording Technology with a minor in Vocal Performance. I've sung with the Buffalo Choral Arts Society, Opera Unlimited and Opera Sacra. I was a soloist and Alto Section Leader for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo. I currently sing with the Cheektowaga Chorale as their Alto Section Leader. I also sing a few songs with Nerds Gone Wild in WNY when I can make their shows. In addition to singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and the Cheektowaga Chorale, I teach private lessons in voice and music from my home in Amherst. I work for Wegmans as a certified barista in the coffee bar. I'm also the proud mom of two incredible girls. One of my most memorable moments with the BPC was singing the Mozart Requiem, specifically the Lacrimosa which I had the privilege of singing in the Area All State choir my senior year of high school. I've been in love with that piece and was very excited to perform it with the BPC and the BPO. I'm looking forward to another great year under the direction of Adam Luebke. On Thursday, April 10, BPC Music Director Erin Freeman led a vocal workshop with the Nardin Academy chorus. The young women in the ensemble worked with Dr. Freeman on their repertoire in preparation for their upcoming NYSMA assessment. Here are some pictures and thoughts from the afternoon. “It was an exhilarating experience to watch Dr. Freeman work with the girls. Her energy, charisma, and commanding knowledge of vocal technique and musicianship made a dramatic impact on the choir.” Lucyanne Gordon, Choir Director Lucyanne Gordon has done marvelous work with the chorus at Nardin. The young women were well prepared, eager to learn, and willing to try new approaches. From the outstanding faculty to the stellar facilities, Nardin Academy clearly understands that investment in arts education is an investment in the future." - Erin Freeman, BPC Music Director
SMALL CHANGES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
DYNAMICS DEMONSTRATION“I really enjoyed the masterclass workshop held at Nardin and found it very helpful. The director/conductor of the BPC was funny and helped improve our overall sound and dynamics.” Melissa Wing, Junior “I noticed how much we improved in the short time with Dr. Freeman. Our dynamics improved so much, and I learned about tone and sound that I hadn’t known before.” Mary Zenger, Sophomore Freeman demonstrates why a piano dynamic feels like it needs MORE energy than a forte.
Karl Jenkins' - The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace
"The Jenkins is an amazing piece! Both the choral parts and orchestral parts are so dramatic. I really like the use of the L'Homme arme' in both the 1st and last movements (kind of like book ends). The destruction of war really comes out powerfully in the text of Torches. The final movement is so joyous, particularly the final chorale using the text from Revelation." - Paul King, BPC Alto Thoughts on "Torches", a movement with text from the Mahabharata:
A Message from Erin Freeman, BPC Music DirectorLast week, BPC Music Director Erin Freeman offered up |
On March 21 and 22, Erin led the Erie County Music Educators Association Senior Orchestra in a two-day marathon weekend of rehearsals, culminating in a thrilling performance of Saint-Saens' "Danse Bacchanale" from Samson and Delila. and Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet (complete with musical sword fights). Event coordinators Douglas Shaw from Clarence and Lynne Bona from Lancaster organized a spectacular event - all students were prepared and ready to dive into music representing two of the most doomed couples in literature. Students came from all over Erie County. One student, a violist, is also a member of the BPC Choral Affiliates Program. |
This weekend, 13 members of the BPChorus performed in special performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, entertaining children and St. Patricks revelers alike!
On Friday, March 14, a dozen BPChorus singers joined the BPO and The Chieftains to help Buffalo kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend. Under the direction of BPC Music Director Erin Freeman, they sang "Shenandoah" and "Anthem", and surprised the audience with an impromptu version of "Buffalo Gals". ~ Miss the concert? Check out the ensemble's pre-concert selfie video of the "Buffalo Gals" - recorded right in Erin's dressing room during intermission. |
Then, on Sunday, March 16 BPC Alto Brianna Battista soloed on the Buffalo Philharmonic's "Knights, Princesses, and Fairy Tale Royalty" concert. Singing music from Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Tangled with frequent BPC Soloist Jim Wright, Brianna charmed the many hundreds of children in the audience.
Congratulations to Brianna and Jim on their inspiring performance! |
"Singing usually feels good, but that day it was glorious."
As we gear up for our Spring concerts, we will welcome over 30 members to our Choral Affiliates program. Every year, we invite High School singers from throughout the Buffalo area to join us on a major concert. They are assigned mentors in the chorus and learn the music along with us. This Spring, these talented students will join us in the Western New York premiere of Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man Mass. In 2013, we expanded our traditional Affliliates program to include entire high school ensembles that sang with us on the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's Holiday Pops concerts. Choruses from West Seneca West, Oakfield Alabama, and Barker Central joined us on stage at Kleinhans to celebrate the holiday season, all under the direction of BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta. Drew Burke, Director of Choral Activities at Barker Central, offers the following guest post.
From Drew Burke:
I don't know where to begin in expressing my gratitude to the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra and directors Erin Freeman and JoAnn Falletta. The opportunity provided to my students was one that, not only had I never foreseen but, that even looking back at it I can hardly comprehend its magnitude. As a school choir director with a degree in voice performance, I recognize that the option of being able to perform with a symphonic choir is likely available to me. Having never done so, however, my experience with the BPC was exhilarating. The sheer vivaciousness of all of our voices combined together creates a lasting impression and a desire to return. But, even more than this, what gave me the greatest sense of joy and accomplishment is knowing what my students gained from the experience. Seeing the work they put in each and every day to be able to stand proudly next to members of the BPC, holding their own and working together with all the ensembles involved and recognizing the sense of accomplishment that they brought with them into the classroom was monumental. Having ideas reinforced by a professional choir director such as Dr. Freeman as well as new ones to invigorate them, I don't think I can express enough what this experience meant to my students and what it has meant for their mentality and attitude in the classroom. They are no longer a random conglomerate of students who happen to meet once a day in a small farm town school. They are a hard working and accomplished choir who has performed on a professional level. That is something that will live in our halls for generations. Thank you.
----- Drew Burke - Director of Choral Activities at Barker Central School
I don't know where to begin in expressing my gratitude to the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra and directors Erin Freeman and JoAnn Falletta. The opportunity provided to my students was one that, not only had I never foreseen but, that even looking back at it I can hardly comprehend its magnitude. As a school choir director with a degree in voice performance, I recognize that the option of being able to perform with a symphonic choir is likely available to me. Having never done so, however, my experience with the BPC was exhilarating. The sheer vivaciousness of all of our voices combined together creates a lasting impression and a desire to return. But, even more than this, what gave me the greatest sense of joy and accomplishment is knowing what my students gained from the experience. Seeing the work they put in each and every day to be able to stand proudly next to members of the BPC, holding their own and working together with all the ensembles involved and recognizing the sense of accomplishment that they brought with them into the classroom was monumental. Having ideas reinforced by a professional choir director such as Dr. Freeman as well as new ones to invigorate them, I don't think I can express enough what this experience meant to my students and what it has meant for their mentality and attitude in the classroom. They are no longer a random conglomerate of students who happen to meet once a day in a small farm town school. They are a hard working and accomplished choir who has performed on a professional level. That is something that will live in our halls for generations. Thank you.
----- Drew Burke - Director of Choral Activities at Barker Central School
Barker Central Student Reflections Performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic was a once in a lifetime opportunity. There are many people who don’t get the chance to do a performance like this, and we did while we are still in high school. Working with the BPC was special because even just tips from Dr. Freeman have helped shape us as musicians. Lastly I would like to thank everyone involved in the BPC, Dr. Freeman and Mr. Burke for making this experience possible, and enjoyable. The BPO and choir performance was a fantastic experience. Singing usually feels good, but that day it was glorious. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Dr. Freeman was very knowledgeable and fun to work with. Singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus was an amazing experience. It was an honor to sing with so many talented people. I would gladly go and sing with them again. I am so grateful that I got the chance to sing with them while I’m in high school. It was truly a once in a lifetime chance. | The Barker Concert Choir is the premiere vocal ensemble at Barker Central School. The northeastern most school in Niagara County, BCS has a student body of fewer than one thousand enrolled in K-12. Throughout the last 20 years numerous conductors have led the group, currently under the direction of Mr. Drew Burke. Over the last few years the choir has much to be proud of. The group has nearly doubled in size, and more than quadrupled the number of males involved. In addition to school events, the group performs each year at a Veteran's Day banquet, and has in the past performed in a fashion show to raise money for breast cancer research and at the Medina Railroad Museum’s annual Polar Express event. While budget cuts have affected schools across New York State, the Barker Concert Choir has continued to not only maintain a tradition of excellence, but exceed expectations and intends to do so for years to come Drew Burke is the director of choral activities for grades 5-12 at Barker Central School. A local of Niagara County, Drew is in his fourth year at Barker where he conducts five vocal ensembles and will serve this year as director of the school musical. A 2008 graduate from Houghton College with a BMus in music education in 2008 and a MMus in voice performance from the University of Buffalo in 2010, Drew has accomplished much in a short time. In addition to teaching, Drew is a member of vocal group Vox Lumine, the Somerset Barbershop Quartet, the rock group “Time Travelers” and has performed with numerous local theatre companies. In 2013, Drew was selected to conduct the Niagara County Jr. High All-County Chorus and co-directs the choir at St. George's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Niagara Falls. |
On January 19, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus had the great honor to participate in the 34th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration program at Kleinhan's Music Hall. Organized by Bessie Patterson and the Concerned Citizens Following the Dream, the event included the BPChorus, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Soprano Karen Saxon, and a large chorus of singers from around the Western New York area. On the first half of the program, nearly 300 people filled the stage under the baton of BPC Music Director Erin Freeman to sing, play, and serve Dr. King's dream. Music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, George Frederick Handel, George Walker, Morton Gould and local composer Ella Robinson shared the program with a rousing rendition of Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, a powerful Ain't He Good, Children (led by Bessie Patterson), and Richard Smallwood's Total Praise, with orchestra, flag ministry, and soloist Patricia Edwards. The second half of the program allowed local performing groups to celebrate individually. The BPChorus performed two a cappella numbers, Biebl's Ave Maria and Soon Ah Will Be Done, arranged by William Dawson.
MEDIA:
- BUFFALO NEWS - FRONT PAGE STORY
- WBFO FEATURE STORY
- ERIN FREEMAN AND BESSIE PATTERSON on WINGING IT TV
- WGRZ STORY - WITH MUSIC CLIP
REFLECTIONS:
As with any performance, part of the joy of performing was the rehearsal process leading up to concert. The BPC and the Martin Luther King Celebration chorus had the great pleasure of working together in three rehearsals. In these rehearsals, led by Erin Freeman and Bessie Patterson, we formed new friendships, we discovered new approaches to music, and we laughed - a lot! We "raised the roof" of Kleinhans Music Hall Sunday evening, in a thrilling and memorable musical tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. To be one small voice among hundreds was truly awe inspiring. In barely two rehearsals, Erin Freeman brought 200+ singers and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra together to 'raise the roof' of Kleinhans Music Hall! Through our music, we praised God, honored a great American and made new friends. The BPC and BPO must continue in this tradition. | As we settled in and began to sing at our first rehearsal together, it was obvious that everyone who was participating was truly dedicated to making our performance a memorable one. The dedication and enthusiasm were palpable! We connected with each other on many levels, and began to know the hearts of our fellow participants. As I was waiting to meet my mother and my daughter in the lobby after the concert, one of the women I’d been fortunate enough to get to know approached me, touched my shoulder, and told me that she had stayed to hear the BP Chorus perform our two numbers. “You sounded wonderful, and you touched my heart”, she said. “I was hoping I would find you so that I could tell you that. Please let the others know. All of us have been so blessed by this experience!” What a beautiful tribute to all who participated! - BPC Alto Cindy Stone My favorite part of this weekend was the galvanizing effect of joining together with singers from several other groups to make a cohesive whole that was so much more than the sum of its parts. I loved experiencing the heartfelt praise and the good cheer among all of the singers. Because I love gospel singing so much, this was my favorite concert of the year! - BPC Alto and Board Member, Cathy Agnello |
CONGRATULATIONS!
As part of the celebration event, the Concerned Citizens Following the Dream handed out awards of service to several members of the community. Congratulations to Catherine Schweitzer, Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus's Immediate Past Board President and friend to all of Buffalo, for being selected as one of the recipients. |
WELCOME!
The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus is WNY's premiere symphonic choral ensemble and the primary choral partner of the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Visit our full website at:
BPChorus.org