Sing We All! A New Public Television Documentary
Minnesota enjoys a well-earned national reputation for excellence in choral music. According to Chorus America, Minnesota is home to more than a hundred professional, community and independent children’s choirs. Prominent Minnesota composers write extensively for the voice, and in 2002 we welcomed more than 3,000 singers from around the globe to the World Choral Symposium.
What's behind this passion for singing? Sing We All! will explore the Minnesota choral phenomenon through interviews with leading choral conductors and composers, behind-the-scenes activity, rehearsals, concert excerpts and historical background. Through personal stories and musical excerpts, it will reveal the great joy and inspiration that people derive from performing and hearing great choral music.
Choral music was a significant factor in our state’s cultural life as far back as the mid-1800s. In honor of Minnesota's 150th anniversary, the American Composers Forum has commissioned five new choral works to be premiered at the State Fair in 2008. Choirs from around the state are collaborating on that project, which will be included in the documentary.
Sing We All! is currently in production and is slated to be aired statewide by Twin Cities Public Television in early 2009. It is expected to reach a broad audience through TV, the Internet, and free DVD distribution to high school and college choir directors. Interviews, transcripts, rehearsal and performance footage will also be collected in a permanent archive.
Thank you, sponsors!
Major underwriting for Sing We All! has been provided by the Wenger Foundation, with additional support from the Katherine B. Andersen Fund of the Saint Paul Foundation, Rick & Linda Glasgow, Huss Foundation, Art & Martha Kaemmer Fund of the HRK Foundation, Myers Foundation, and Sewell Family Foundation.