Press Release For Immediate Release

Choral Chameleon Presents Series of Free Public Concerts Commemorating the fifteen-year anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death
About the concert Throughout the month of October, members of Chameleonic and Choral Chameleon will present a series of free public outreach performances commemorating the fifteen-year anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death. This program, by turns poignant and joyful, will celebrate life and the beautiful diversity of our community while raising awareness about important social issues that affect us all. Come and hear David Conte's Elegy for Matthew and two Whitman settings by Conte and Michael Hennagin: Invocation and Dance and Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun. Artistic Director Vince Peterson tops off the program with his surprising setting of The Carpenters' timeless song Top of the World. Please bring everyone you know and share this experience with us! Schedule and Tickets Monday, October 14, 7:30 pm St. Paul's Church, 199 Carroll Street (Carroll Gardens), Brooklyn Saturday, October 19, 2 pm Lecture by composer David Conte and Performance John Street Church, 44 John Street (Downtown), Manhattan Monday, October 21, 8 pm John Street Church, 44 John Street (Downtown), Manhattan Saturday, October 26, 8 pm Park Avenue Christian Church, 1010 Park Ave (Upper East Side), Manhattan

Sunday, October 27, 4 pm Union Church, 7915 Ridge Blvd (Bay Ridge), Brooklyn Free tickets may be reserved at http://www.choralchameleon.com/concerts.html. Works to be performed David Conte: Elegy For Matthew (text by John Stirling Walker)
"...a direct and touching choral work...its appeal was immediate; its burning emotion all the more powerful for its restraint, articulated by its haunting orchestral colour...for me this was a classic in the making." - Lewis Forman, Seen and Heard/Music on the Web (UK)

David Conte: Invocation and Dance (text by Walt Whitman)

"... a sparkling hymn to life." - Allan Kozinn, The New York Times "Conte's appeal is direct and invigorating, and the reassurance of the writing is pleasurable...the jazzy, joyous Dance is undeniably thrilling, and the performers repaid Conte's effort with the kind of unabashed enthusiasm composers dream of." - Philip Campbell, Bay Area Reporter

Michael Hennagin: Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun (text by Walt Whitman) Vince Peterson (arr.): Top of the World (The Carpenters) Total program time: 45 minutes About the Performers Members of Choral Chameleon and Chameleonic under the leadership of Artistic Director Vince Peterson give this concert. Choral Chameleon: Hailed by Time Out New York as a "shape-shifting" and "poetic" ensemble, Choral Chameleon has carved its niche in the NYC concert scene. Founded by Vince Peterson in 2008, the group has become known for inspiring listeners with its truly amalgamated concert programming, which deals with real human themes relatable to any audience member. Its singers comprise the most varied musical backgrounds and influences, giving the group an ever-changing, idiomatically virtuous, and spontaneously transforming sound, never experienced before in the concert hall. Choral Chameleon places the understanding of each style it performs at the very center of the rehearsal process, never resting until the inherent nuances of each piece are fully honored and preserved. These concert programs equally welcome first-time listeners as well as seasoned concertgoers. The group strives to redefine the role of a choir in the performing arts and to put choral singing where it is least expected. Full bio at http://www.choralchameleon.com/about.html. Chameleonic: The voices of CHAMELEONIC represent all five boroughs of New York City and a beautiful tapestry of cultural and musical backgrounds. Chameleonic was founded to break ground in choral music practice for avocational musicians and is part of the Choral Chameleon organization. It is uniquely co-led by Artistic Director, Vince Peterson, and an ever-changing roster of assistant conductors, each of who give unique and varied 2

perspectives on interpretation, style, and rehearsal technique. The group seeks to cultivate seasoned choral singers in the greater NYC area who possess exemplary openness to amalgamated programming and strong singing and music reading techniques. Its concerts, in trademark Choral Chameleon fashion, combine unlimited styles of singing and musical genres to build bridges between the old and the new, the popular and the obscure, the spiritual and the secular. They address real human themes that are relevant to people's lives in this day and age. Full bio at http://www.choralchameleon.com/chameleonic.html. Vince Peterson: Native San Franciscan, Vince Peterson is now a Brooklyn-based composer, conductor, and keyboardist. He is the founder of the critically acclaimed vocal ensemble, Choral Chameleon, which now celebrates its sixth anniversary season, and which has made significant strides in modern choral music. The New York Times called Peterson "authoritative beyond his years," and The Brooklyn Eagle praised his concert programming as "a stunning symphony of the spiritual and secular", while hailing him as a solo performer "with depth and vigor" who "provided a universal context which resonated with his audience." Full bio: http://www.choralchameleon.com/artistic-director-vince-peterson.html Press Materials Press materials, including photos of the artists, posters advertising this event, logos etc., may be requested by emailing Jeffery Thyer, Executive Director at Contact@ChoralChameleon.com. More Information For further information and questions, contact Jeffery Thyer, Executive Director Contact@ChoralChameleon.com 646-580-2835 www.ChoralChameleon.com/contact.html

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