FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston Choral Ensemble Names Andrew Shenton as Artistic Director

Dr. Andrew Shenton, Artistic Director designate

BOSTON, Massachusetts – May 17, 2011 – The Boston Choral Ensemble is pleased to begin its second decade with the appointment of Andrew Shenton as its new artistic director.

“BCE is thrilled to be embarking on a new era of growth and vitality under Andrew Shenton’s leadership,” said Lauren Roller, president of the Board of Directors.  “Andrew’s vision for the future of BCE inspired the membership and the Board, and convinced us that he was the ideal person to lead BCE to even greater heights of high-quality, creative choral programming.”

Dr. Shenton’s appointment comes as the result of a national search conducted by a committee of representatives of the BCE Board and the choir.  After reviewing a strong pool of applicants and receiving substantial input from the singers and the Board of Directors, the committee was unanimous in declaring Andrew Shenton to be the best candidate to lead the choir.

“I am honored and delighted to become artistic director of this excellent ensemble at the start of its second decade,” said Dr. Shenton.  “I look forward to working with Lauren, the Board and the wonderful singers on exciting and innovative programming. I am dedicated to the mission of BCE and to its continuation of as a notable presence in the musical scene in Boston and to ever wider audiences.”

Lauren Roller, President, Board of Directors

Dr. Miguel Felipe, Artistic Director 2004–2011

Dr. Shenton brings to BCE a deep knowledge and love of music and a great deal of experience as a musician, scholar, prize-winning author and educator.  He is an Associate Professor of Music at Boston University, where he also serves as the Houghton Scholar of Sacred Music, Director of the Sacred Music program and Director of the Boston University Messiaen Project.

He comes to BCE at the end of its tenth season, at a point when the Ensemble is strong both musically and organizationally and is ready to step forward into new projects. BCE was founded in 2001 by its first music director, Tom Cunningham, who was interested in creating a choir that was smart, but not stuffy—a place for people who may not have chosen music as a profession to produce high-quality music and have fun in the process.

With Dr. Shenton’s appointment, BCE says farewell to Miguel Felipe, who was the Ensemble’s second artistic director and led the BCE to a variety of successes on many levels over his seven years. Dr. Felipe developed the choir from its humble beginnings to its current size as a 32-voice chamber choir. During that time the concert season expanded, a Commission Competition was established, and both budget and audience grew dramatically. Today, the Ensemble remains committed to the high-quality performance of challenging and engaging music with a focus on innovative programming that explores the essential qualities that unite diverse traditions. As it begins its eleventh season, BCE is eager to explore with as many people as possible new avenues for creative performance and the collective joy unique to live musical performance.

For more information, visit http://www.BostonChoral.org/ and http://www.AndrewShenton.com/

Contact:
Joanna Hamilton
Marketing Director, Boston Choral Ensemble
Marketing@BostonChoral.org

###