OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Marietta College Concert Choir to present Concert On May 14th, 2012 at 7pm the Marietta College Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Daniel Monek will be performing at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 700 Cumberland St., Bristol, Va as a part of its annual spring tour. Admission to the concert is free. The Concert Choir is one of five choral ensembles at Marietta College and one of the college’s oldest organizations. This auditioned group of singers is composed entirely of members of the student body representing every academic division and nearly every major at Marietta College. As ambassadors of the college, the choir performs annually throughout the continental US. In 2006, the choir became the first American college or university choir to perform for the Chinese Choral Directors Seminar held at Beijing Conservatory in the People’s Republic of China and in 2002 was honored with invitations to perform in both St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome during their tour of Italy. In 2005 the choir released its first compact disc recording, When in the Presence of Music and in 2012 will release its second compact disc titled Christmas with the Concert Choir. Under Dr. Monek’s direction, the ensemble has gained recognition for the quality and expression of its performances. This year’s tour program, entitled Songs of Faith, Love and Remembrance, features a variety of works representing a selection of classic and contemporary choral literature. The program will consist of works by a variety of American composers including a set of three new works by Stephen Chatman entitled Teasdale Songs that were commissioned and premiered this spring by the choir in honor of the retirement of the college’s current president, Dr. Jean Scott. Also included are the beautiful Songs of Faith written by Paul Basler and a moving two movement work written by composer Kurt Knecht in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. According to director, Dr. Daniel Monek, the “program through its combination of folksong, classic choral literature, and poignant contemporary texts provides an eclectic evening that is sure to both inspire and entertain.” Having celebrated its 175th anniversary during the 2009-10 academic year, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college located in Marietta, Ohio at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy begun in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today, Marietta College serves a body of 1,400 full-time students. The College offers 42 majors and has been listed among Barron’s Best Buys in College Education and Peterson’s Competitive Colleges, and has been recognized as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com. The Edward E. MacTaggart Department of Music at Marietta College offers exceptional training in a supportive environment for undergraduate students pursuing either a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, or a Bachelor of Arts in Music. A music minor and a Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy are also available. Each year the Music Department awards numerous scholarships to deserving students who plan to participate in instrumental, vocal, and piano solo or ensemble performance. These renewable scholarships are awarded to both music majors and non-majors alike, and may be combined with academic scholarships. Dr. Daniel G. Monek is the Chairman of the Edward E. MacTaggart Music department at Marietta College where he directs all five of the college’s choral ensembles. He has received his Ph.D. in Music from Edinburgh University (Scotland) and holds degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of South Florida. Dr. Monek has taught music in Florida’s public schools and was the founding Artistic and Musical Director of the New Edinburgh Orchestra in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has served as the music director of several churches, as Secretary/Treasurer for the Florida Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, as Chairman of Scotland for the Association of the British Choral Directors and terms on the boards of the Ohio Choral Directors Association and the Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association. He is in frequent demand as a clinician and conductor both here and abroad. For further information, please contact the department of music at (740) 376-4696.