Tom Hall and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society have won awards in the 2014 American Prize competition. Hall, Choral Arts’ longtime music director and “Maryland Morning” culture editor, took the top prize for community chorus conducting, and Choral Arts won second place in the community chorus division. The American Prize awards, started in 2009, are based on submitted recordings, and the judges were mighty impressed with Hall and Choral Arts’ Christmas at America’s First Cathedral disc.
Here are some of their comments: “The energy and enthusiasm was contagious…one of the best recorded performances of Christmas music I have seen in many years…each selection had a style that was handled appropriately by the performers. Classical, spiritual, lush jazz ensemble, contemporary gospel—each treated with equal respect and care. This is a tribute to the musicality and leadership of the conductor.”
But don’t just take their word for it. You can check out Choral Arts yourself this Saturday at Goucher’s Kraushaar Auditorium. The “Classical Masters” concert, which includes works by Bach and Beethoven, starts at 4 pm. And don’t miss this year’s “Christmas with Choral Arts” at the Basilica on December 2nd at 7:30 pm.