Our signature projects:
The Vivaldi Festival
An American Requiem
A Sonoran Requiem
The Millennium Trilogy
Voices of Arizona
Sandro Botticelli, Spring
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Past
performances of An American Requiem |
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An American Requiem premiered at Phoenix Symphony Hall in January 1994 with the ASU soloists and choirs. In 1995, DeMars conducted the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City in the nationally televised premiere of the Requiem — and in subsequent performances with the Utah Symphony.
In
1997, he conducted the European premiere at the Church of La Trinité in Paris,
France — at the personal invitation of Mrs. Bernadette Chirac, wife of French
President Jacques Chirac and founder of the prestigious Paris Festival of Sacred
Music. DeMars was honored with induction in the French Order of Arts and
Letters. |
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 Performance of An American Requiem at the Phoenix Symphony Hall - Sept. 11, 2002
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On
September 11, 2002, An
American Requiem was
performed at the Phoenix Symphony Hall, conducted by the composer, in a memorial
to honor the victims of 9/11/2001. It was a particularly powerful and moving
performance according to many members of the audience. Soloists were: Jennifer Nagy (soprano),
Isola Jones (mezzo-soprano), Robert Breault (tenor) and Kevin
Maynor (bass-baritone). The chorus was an ensemble of 130 singers from
several chorales and choruses of Phoenix such as Masterworks Art Chorale,
Cantemus Chamber Choir, All Saint Episcopal Church Singers, Arizona Arts
Chorale, George Chelena Chorale and Alliance Francaise Chorale.
The latest performance was held at The Scottsdale Center for the Arts on September 11, 2004 under the baton of Darrel Rowader. Soloists were: Jennifer Nagy (soprano), Isola Jones (mezzo-soprano), William Watson (tenor) and Peter Van De Graaf (bass-baritone). The Memorial chorus was an ensemble of 71 volunteer singers from several chorales and choruses of Phoenix. Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, it was a beautiful performance attended by many including the composer James DeMars and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. |
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