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Show Chamber Singers continued Continued from page 1 Additional highlights of the group include a featured performance at the First Anniversary Ceremony of the 911 tragedy for the State of Utah and Governor Michael Leavitt. The Chamber Singers have recorded with internationally celebrated singer Charlotte Church for the popular television series Touched By An Angel. "For a program our size, it is one of the finest facilities in the country and a dream come true for the music department." Chris Quinn Quinn approximates the group tackles over fifty songs per year. Group practices total nearly six hours credits per per week, and choir members receive semester for their work. Music is an exact art, said Quinn. If your rhythm is off from the person next to you, we have a problem. The students have a lot cut out for them. You have to be dedicated to get the most out of it, said freshman choir member Wyatt King. 1- -4 Passionate Leader, Honors Student Praised by Director Cook has passion for singing and hails from a musical family. His parents met in the university choir. In high school, Cook was a member of the Rocky Mountain Singers, which JOHN COOK, BASS SECTION LEADER toured across Colorado. He loves contemporary choral music, favors Eric Whitacre and classical A gentleman, overachiever and passionate muand enjoys being part of the Chamber Choir sician; John Cook is the Bass Section Leader of music, because of the wide variety of music they encounter. Westminsters Chamber Choir. Over the past year, the choir has studied Canadian Cook, a sophomore economics honor student, Native-AmericIts a lot of fun to do pieces. left Fort Collins, Colo, for college in Utah. People tribal music. To try out different pieces, different may assume he followed the snow. I rarely have the time or money to ski, he said. Cook became sounds, said Cook. As for the future, Cook has a range of goals. He interested in Utah after attending a recruiting fair in Denver and had left impressed by Westminster plans to attend law school, and has researched Harvard, Colombia and University of Colorado. Cook representatives. says he doesnt plan to pursue singing profession"He's a aspect of the craft may to ally, but the be useful in law school. Music is one of the greatest sure stress outlets, he said. Cook cites the words of Dr. Quinn as a great inexactly right, spiration to him. Leave your baggage at the door, I a he paraphrases. We come here to make music. When his schedule is not filled with mock trials and choir practice, Cook enjoys a lifestyle similar to I He go many college students. I enjoy doing normal things accurate." like everyone else. Eating, hanging with friends, he said. And, taking long walks in the moonlight, Chris Quinn he chided. Cook is looking forward to Beijing, and his Cook stays steadily busy as an honors student, ticket is booked. For now, though, hes focused on and is a gifted writer. He is the also the president of the schools mock trial team. As the bass section fundraising. He encourages students and the community leader, Cook guides as the male lead of the choir. Hopefully my voice doesnt stick out, he said of to support the choir by attending upcoming concerts. Cook is also in charge of a small group of his duties. John is an exceptional singer, said Dr. Chris octet singers that may be hired for private events. Quinn, Westminster director of choral music, Hes The group sings a wide range of music, and pricing is negotiable. All proceeds will benefits the Choirs a leader and helps to make sure that everything exactly right, basically hes the parent of the choir. If China Trip. Interested parties may contact Cook I have a problem with the bass section I go to him. at jhc0911westminstercollege.edu or (970) He demands that theyre extremely accurate. a long-standi- ng DR. CHRISTOPHER QUINN A native of Massachusetts, Quinn was appointed Director of Music at Westminster College in 1994. Under his leadership, the program implemented new music curriculum that included private lessons, performing ensembles, and academic music courses. The success of the programs culminated in the construction of the Eccles Conservatory for Music and Theatre. an leader and helps make that everything basically he's the parent of the choir. If have problem with the bass section demands that to him. they're extremely stress-relievi- "If your rhythm is off from the person next to you, we have a problem. The students have a lot cut out for them." ng Chris Quinn For program our size, it is one of the finest facilities in the country and a dream come true for the music department, Quinn said. Quinn was awarded the distinguished Gore Excellence in Teaching Award and the Naomi Weyher Renewal Leave in 2003, which provided an opporte work in conducting. tunity to pursue He recorded a solo piano CD, A Tribute: The Piano Stylings of Ken Manzer and his setting of The Lords Prayer has received international critical suca post-doctora- cess. the music is grandiose, exciting, uplifting. We're there to build excitement." "All Chris Quinn Quinn earned a D.M.A. in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is an active pianist, choral conductor, composer, and arranger. VOLUME XL1: ISSUE 15 6 |