Harmonious Collaborations: Melodia Women's Choir of New York City Premieres New Work by Woman Composer

Melodia Women's Choir of New York City is an ensemble of 35 singers who perform an eclectic mix of women's choral music under Artistic Director Cynthia Powell, often shining the spotlight on women composers. This November 14, 2009 at Saint Peter's Church (Lexington Ave. at E. 54th St., NYC), the group will perform a new commissioned work by American composer Chris Lastovicka, who won the first Women Composers Commissioning Competition held by Melodia.

Lastovicka composed Notes Upon the Breeze specifically for Melodia, setting to music three poems by U.S. poet laureate Kay Ryan. Powell, who has conducted the choir since its formation in 2003, describes Notes Upon the Breeze as "fresh and inspired...matched perfectly" to Ryan's poetry, which has been compared to the work of Emily Dickinson and Marianne Moore.

The evening promises to be a celebration of women's creativity and voices in a field in which women composers are still woefully underrpresented. By sponsoring a commissioning competition for women composers and sharing the resulting work with the pubic, Melodia provides a wonderful example of women in music taking the initiative to support and promote each other.

The concert will also feature Songs of the Lights by Imant Raminsh, Songs from "The Princess" by Gustav Holst, and selections from Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. The choir will be accompanied by pianist Taisiya Pushkar and the Transfiguration Quartet.

If you are in the New York City area, support many women artists by attending the premiere performance!

Concert Details:

Melodia Women's Choir, "Notes Upon the Breeze"
Saturday, November 14, 2009
8 pm
Saint Peter's Church, Citigroup Center
Lexington Ave. At E. 54th St.
New York City
T: (212) 252-4134

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

www.melodiawomenschoir.org