The New Classic Singers celebrates its 25th season as a professional choral ensemble in residence at College of DuPage. Members include conductors, educators and soloists from throughout the metropolitan area. The Singers has been lauded for its imaginative programs and performing excellence. New Classic Singers has performed three times for conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and frequently commissions and premieres new works.
NCS has just been listed in the Illinois Arts Treasures on Tour, an outreach program of the Illinois Arts Council. We hope to bring our concerts to a larger audience in other parts of the state.
Lee R. Kesselman (Music Director) has been director of choral activities at College of DuPage since 1981. Conductor, pianist, teacher and award-winning composer, he has developed the New Classic Singers with a love for the vocal art and interests in a great breadth of literature. A member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Kesselman's compositions have been published by Boosey & Hawkes, Lawson-Gould, Plymouth Music and Classic Artists Publishing.
Accompanist William Buhr appears throughout North America as an accompanist, chamber musician and clinician. Widely sought as a performer, he has appeared on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series and has accompanied the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus at the invitation of director Margaret Hillis. Buhr is a member of the music faculty at College of DuPage and is the long-standing principal accompanist of the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus. This season is Buhr's 20th with the New Classic Singers.
2008-2009 Season
Nov. 7, 8, 2008: Music and Movement w/ New Philharmonic and Hubbard Street 2
Dec. 13, 2008: A Child's Christmas
Dec. 14, 2008: Family Christmas Album
March 15, 2009: Circles of Peace
May 9, 2009: Rachmaninoff Vespers
With pianist William Buhr, harp Stephen Hartman, and flute Carolyn May, New Classic Singers has put together some of our favorite holiday music for your listening joy. Carols written and arranged by Alice Parker, Stephen Paulus, Stephen Hatfield, David Brunner, NCS Music Director Lee Kesselman and others will give you years of listening enjoyment — during the holidays and the rest of the year!
CD's are available for purchase at the Arts Center Ticket Office, by phone (630) 942-4000, or in the Arts Center lobby at intermission during New Classic Singer performances. CD's are $15 (plus a $3 handling charge).
Hear songs from the NCS Holiday CD
Lee Kesselman, Music Director
