UA’s University Singers Set to Tour South Korea

TUSCALOOSA, Ala – Fifty-five members of The University of Alabama’s University Singers and some parents will travel to South Korea for a concert tour from Wednesday, May 11, to Monday, May 23.

The tour features some of South Korea’s most prestigious venues.

Dr. John Ratledge, UA professor of music and director of choral activities, will direct the ensemble on the tour. Among the highlights is a performance in the recital hall of the Seoul Arts Center, one of South Korea’s most modern and well-known facilities.

“It’s the most prestigious venue in South Korea,” Ratledge said. “I’m very proud that the University Singers ensemble has been recognized in such a magnificent way. The hall is magnificent.”

In addition to the Seoul concert, the University Singers, UA’s most advanced vocal music ensemble, will perform twice at Jeju Hall in Jeju, an island off the southern coast of South Korea. Other concerts include performances at the Kwang Myung Art Center and the prestigious Kie-Myung Arts Center in Taegu. Ratledge will also give master classes in conducting during the week.

The University Singers is the premiere vocal ensemble in UA’s School of Music, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. The ensemble gave its Carnegie Hall debut on May 2, 2010.

University Singers will be the first ensemble from the School of Music to travel and perform abroad, but not the last, Ratledge said. In the near future, the school’s Wind Ensemble will travel to Italy, and the Huxford Symphony Orchestra is planning overseas travel as well.

“Our trip to Korea will open up the opportunities for other ensembles at UA to travel internationally,” Ratledge said. “This is something I will always take pride in.The University already encourages students to go overseas through the outstanding Capstone International programs.This is just the beginning.”

The University Singers tour is planned and supported by INTERKULTUR KOREA, which contributed more than $67,000, Ratledge said, and the students have received $55,000 from the provost, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music. If area fans wish to support the ensembles trip, they may visit the Web site http://www.johnratledge.com/friendsofsingers.html.

In addition to the trip, University Singers has issued a CD titled “I Am!” The CD, conducted by Ratledge, includes “Rejoice in the Lamb” by Benjamin Britten and “Richte mich Gott” by Felix Mendelssohn, as well as works by contemporary composers Michael McGlynn, Morten Lauridsen, Jeffrey Ames and Ratledge. For details on the CD, issued on the BAMAVOX label, go to http://www.johnratledge.com/recordings/iamuniversitysingers.php.

The School of Music is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.