HISTORY
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In October of 1979, three years
after returning from Europe, Ralph B. Woodward held auditions
for formal children's choir in Salt Lake City. (He felt he had certain
valuable insights into helping children sing correctly.) The first
performance of this new ensemble (originally named "The Wasatch
Children") was given that December in a library auditorium. Subsequent
concerts were given in fairly small, acoustically suitable locations
(usually churches) in the area. Finally, against the advice of some,
the choir staged a major concert in Salt That winter the choir was featured on the Christmas concerts and broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir -- as well as a Tabernacle Choir Christmas television special which was distributed worldwide. (The choir has since participated with the Tabernacle Choir on other projects.) The next year Mr. Woodward approached officials at Salt Lake City's prominent and historic Cathedral of the Madeleine about a joint performance of the children's choir with the Salt Lake Symphony and the Ralph Woodward Chorale -- Directed by Dr. Ralph Woodward, Mr. Woodward's renowned father (featured work was to be Arthur Honegger's "Cantate de Noel"). The idea was welcomed and the event was such that a long and rewarding relationship with the cathedral was begun. In the spring of 1986 the Salt Lake Children's Choir was particularly gratified at the resounding ovation it received from an audience of choral professionals following its performance at the Western Division Convention of the American Choral Directors' Association in Santa Clara, California. It has since appeared at five subsequent conventions of this organization. The choir has performed with numerous celebrated artists, including Marvin Hamlisch, Frederica von Stade, Pete Seeger, Grant Johannesen, Kevin Kenner, Igor and Vesna Gruppman, Kurt Bestor, Sam Cardon, and jazz musicians Steve Keen, and Lars Yorgason and has recorded with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony (having also performed with these organizations on other occasions). It has been heard on American Public Radio and Public Radio International and its singers have sung for CNN, CBS, NBC (including a ten part mini-series to be aired this season) and Walt Disney Productions. The choir's first commercial compact disc, "Beside Thy Cradle," (Christmas) was released in 1995 and a second, "A Day in Spring," in June 2000. Both were recorded in Abravanel Hall. Through its many years and varied activities, the Salt Lake Children's Choir has maintained as its primary focus the artistry of its young singers. Its two ensembles rarely exceed 100 participants total (Mr. Woodward does all the teaching) and, while many invitations for extensive travel have come to the choir, this has not been an area of particular emphasis. (Incidentally, because of his own vast experience abroad and his facility in foreign languages, Mr. Woodward has endeavored to bring the world to the choir, so to speak). More recently, because of the choir's stature among choral conductors both here and abroad, there is increased demand for it to travel. |
Lake City's beautiful Symphony
Hall (now Abravanel Hall) in June of 1983 (residents will well remember
this as the year of "the flood"). Despite the earlier cautions and
the transportation difficulties caused by water in the streets,
this concert was a milestone in making the case for outstanding
children's choral singing and served to establish the choir firmly
in the cultural fabric of the community.Home / About Us / Comments / History / Articles & Letters
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