Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Releases New CD, I’ll be Seeing You

The Spivey Hall Children’s Choir announces the release of its third CD, I’ll Be Seeing You, now available through Spivey Hall at Clayton State University.

I’ll Be Seeing You presents a collection of favorite works performed throughout the history of the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir. Recorded live in Spivey Hall in the spring of 2006, the CD, produced by ACA Digital Recording, Inc. of Atlanta, features 21 songs sung by 48 of the most advanced students in the program conducted by Dr. Martha Shaw, founding artistic director of the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir and professor of music at Shorter College in Rome, Ga., with piano accompaniment by assistant director Judy Kerlin Mason.

Songs on this CD range in style from classical sacred works and spirituals, to “America the Beautiful” and a medley of popular tunes by Johnny Mercer. The title track, “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Irving Kahal & Sammy Fain and arranged by Harris M. Wheeler, is a nostalgic musical tribute to the hundreds of Children’s Choir Program participants who have formed deep and lasting friendships as a result of their participation in this outstanding ensemble.

The CD also features the world-premiere recording of David L. Brunner’s “A Song for Every Child,” dedicated to Martha Ellen Stilwell, a long-time Clayton County Schools music educator whose encouragement led to the formation of the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir. “A Song for Every Child,” inspired by the introduction to Songs of Innocence by renowned British poet William Blake (1827-1857), was commissioned for the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir in loving memory of Bill & Lillian Loucks with a deeply appreciated gift from Southwind Enterprises, Ltd., and Steve and Nancy Rieck, whose daughter, Kristin Rieck, is among the Choir members singing in the recording.

I’ll Be Seeing You features additional works by living American composers who have responded to the recording with enthusiastic praise. Morten Lauridsen, recognized internationally as a leading composer of choral works, is represented on the CD with his song “Dirait-on” from Les Chansons des Roses, set to poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926). Wrote Lauridsen to Shaw, “Many thanks for sending the recording of `Dirait-on.’ It's beautifully done in every way. So musical! Please convey my congratulations and appreciation to your superb singers and Judy. Your interpretation is right on the money. Bravo!”

Similarly, composer Larysa Kuzmenko rejoiced after hearing this CD, and writing to Shaw: “I would like to thank you and congratulate you all for the most outstanding, and professional performance of my choral songs, `Stars,’ `Night’ and `Winds’! The performance was so musical, sensitive and very moving! The mood was captured so well for each song. I could not ask for a better interpretation than this! This was actually the first time I heard a performance of `Night,’ it was stunning!”
Copies of I’ll Be Seeing You (ACA CM20101) priced at $15 are available from the Spivey Hall Box Office, (678) 466-4200, and may be purchased via credit card, cash or check. All proceeds from sales of the CD benefit the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir annual touring activities, which this summer include participation in the Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival (PICC Fest) and a performance on June 28, 2008 at the prestigious Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene, Ore.

Dedicated to excellence, the Spivey Hall Children's Choir Program has provided exemplary choral music education to its singers since 1994. Comprised of both male and female students ages 10 through 18, this treble choir program is for soprano and alto singers. Consisting of three choirs, the program draws students from 18 metro-Atlanta counties, offering them professional-level instruction in vocal pedagogy, music theory, sight singing, ear training, and presentation as well as exposure to a variety of choral styles. Involvement also enhances young people's lives, helping them to develop self-reliance, personal integrity, responsibility, compassion, and confidence in their abilities.

Spivey Hall and the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program receive funding support from The Walter & Emilie Spivey Foundation. Spivey Hall receives additional support from the National Endowment from the Arts, Georgia Council for the Arts, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

For more information visit www.spiveyhall.org/shcc.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.