NEWS
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NEWS 〰️
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 10, 2024
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Membership Evolves
Following the recent retirement of several long-time singers, the membership and musical direction of Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi has evolved with addition of three new singers and a new accompanist.
Joshua Myers
Zack Devine
James Wells
Roburt Gajdos
New singing additions include tenors Joshua Myers and Zack Devine, and baritone James Wells. Tenor Myers is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College and will receive his Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Temple University in 2025. Tenor Devine is a guitarist, vocalist, composer, and educator from Philadelphia. He is very active both as a performing artist and as a teacher, and regularly plays Philadelphia and surrounding areas as both a bandleader and a sideman. Baritone Wells is a pianist, percussionist and vocalist who sings with the Trinity Episcopal, Solebury church choir and the New Hope-Lambertville-Solebury Community Choir, and studies piano with John Schucker. He is a Warden at Trinity Solebury church.
Acclaimed area pianist Roburt Gajdos has been appointed as Cordus Mundi’s accompanist. Gajdos has been the pianist for St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in New Hope, PA since 2001, and is the accompanist for the New Hope-Solebury & Lambertville Community Choir and the Abington Choral Club. Gajdos is also know for his concerts featuring works of the Romantic and Impressionist composers, as well as original compositions. His teachers have included Mathilde McKinney, Joseph Schwartz, Albert Stanziano, Susan Starr, Eugene Copeland, and Olga d’Stroumillo.
“We’re truly saddened to see some of our brothers-in-song leave us, but boy oh boy, are we excited about what the new guys bring to the group”, notes artistic director Rick Rosen. “We’re traveling just a bit lighter now, with a new flexibility that allows us to explore and move in some new directions. We’ll be including more pieces from new composers, including our resident composers, a little more guitar, and we absolutely can’t wait to have the honor of making piano music from Roburt Gajdos an integral part of our programs.”
For the recent holiday season, Cordus Mundi released “Child of Light’, a virtual music video with the new singers included. The video affords listeners their first look & listen to the group in their new configuration, and can be found online at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGPMPs4IYgo. Cordus Mundi’s next concert, the first with the new members, will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Rd., Solebury, PA on Sunday, March 24, 2024 @ 4:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online on Facebook, at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 26, 2023
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Wins American Prize Honorable Mention
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi has been recognized with an 2023 American Prize Finalist Honorable Mention for Virtual Performance/Community Division award for their recent virtual performance of Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria”.
The imaginative and creative virtual video features a collection of Cordus Mundi current members and alumni in a variety of settings, and was produced by Cordus Mundi bass, composer and video artist Steve Mallon. The video can be viewed on the group’s website and YouTube channel. A direct link to the video is provided - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78bXZ124o7k
The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the classical arts. The American Prize is nonprofit, unique in scope and structure, and is designed to evaluate recognize and reward the best performers, ensembles, composers, directors and administrators in the United States, based on submitted recordings. The American Prize has attracted thousands of qualified contestants from all fifty states since its founding, has awarded more than $100,000 in prizes in all categories since 2010, and is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts.
A link to the American Prize awards announcement is provided - http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2023/10/national-winners-virtual-performance_01430326111.html
Here are additional links about the prize and awards for Steve Mallon:
http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2023/11/national-winners-composers-instrumental.html
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online on Facebook, at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 5, 2023
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Announces Auditions
Bucks County, PA-based male a cappella singing group Cordus Mundi has announced auditions for accomplished tenor and bass singers for the upcoming 2023-24 choral season - the group’s eighteenth.
Known throughout the area, Cordus Mundi is an all-volunteer choir, with musical leadership coming from their artistic director and music director. The group rehearses on Monday evenings in Solebury, PA from September - June, and presents three-four core concerts per season, with additional engagements scheduled throughout the year. Repertoire ranges from 12th - 21st century, and comes from a wide range of composers and styles.
Audition appointments will be held on August and early September evenings to be determined. Comprehensive audition information can be found on the Cordus Mundi website at this link - http://www.cordusmundi.com/audition
“We’ve had some of our guys retire at the end of the season and we will truly miss them going forward,” says artistic director Rick Rosen. “At the same time, these changes present us with a great opportunity to add new energy and perhaps even new direction to the group. This is a great and kind of exciting time to join Cordus - your good voice, good reading skills, reliability, and choral musicianship could be a significant part of our future.”
To arrange an audition with Cordus Mundi, candidates are invited to contact the group via the Cordus Mundi Facebook page, via email (info@cordusmundi.com) or at 650.219.2748.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 13, 2023
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Presents Cordus Pops II Concert And Free Prizes
Oldies fans are invited to wear their best fifties or sixties outfits to come hear Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi’s “Cordus Pops II” concert and win free prizes on Sunday, April 2 at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury. “Cordus Pops II”, a collection of well-known popular favorites covering the past few decades, includes music from George Gershwin, Dion DiMucci, Fred Parris, Sting, John Phillips, Elton John, Doc Pomus, Erroll Garner, a couple of fellas named Lennon & McCartney, and more. Several individual Cordus Mundi members, including tenors George Caucci and Scott Totten, baritones Michael Cosdon and Eric Muth, and instrumentalists Jim Peters and Rick Rosen, will play solo roles on various pieces.
“Although it’ll have a few twists and turns, a Cordus Pops concert by definition is going to be largely about fifties and sixties oldies”, notes group artistic director Rosen. “We want to pay homage to those decades and have some fun, so we’ll be awarding limited edition, suitable-for-framing first edition Cordus concert poster collections to any/every concert-goer who comes wearing fifties or sixties attire or carrying fifties or sixties accessories.” Rosen adds, “Also, in the true spirit of the sixties, we’ll be giving away free copies of our “Unforgettable” CD to each and every attendee.”
The Cordus Pops II concert will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Rd. in Solebury. For those unable to attend the live performance of November 20, a video of the performance will be made available for online viewing beginning one week later. Tickets for the online video option are available at the group’s website (www.cordusmundi.com). Tickets for the live performance are $20 (no charge for children under 12) and are available rom Cordus Mundi members, at the website or at the door. Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 6587 Upper York Rd. in Solebury, PA.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748.
Cordus Mundi in the Community - We Sure Know How to Spell!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 11, 2022
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi is Looking For a Few Good Men
As it begins its seventeenth season, Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi is looking to add new singers to the group and is holding auditions for qualified tenors, baritones, and basses. Cordus Mundi candidates are expected to have good reading & learning skills, be willing/able to sing a wide variety of music & musical styles, and be interested in making a genuine contribution to the group’s development.
Cordus Mundi performs three major concerts and additional engagements throughout the concert season. The group rehearses on Monday evenings in Solebury, PA, and rehearsals for the 2022-2023 season begin on September 12. A Cordus audition, to be held with the group’s artistic & music directors, includes vocalizing, sight-reading, and some limited group singing. Additionally, candidates are welcome, but not required, to bring & sing a piece of your choosing to the audition.
For more information or to make an audition appointment, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 18, 2022
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus & Friends Concert Live & Online
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi will provide in-person and online listening options for the group’s annual season-ending Cordus & Friends concert, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, June 12 at 4:00 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury.The performance features music from Cordus Mundi, from the group’s soprano and alto Friends, and from the combined full choir.
Conducting duties for the concert will be handled by four members of the Cordus & Friends ensemble - Susan Johnson, Marie Tavianini, Tim Harrell, and Rick Rosen - with music from a wide variety of composers, periods, and styles. Composers/arrangers include Thompson, Haydn, DiOrio, Dunphy, Clausen, Durufle, Berkey, Gjeilo, Ayers, Rudoi, Dawson, Paulus, Carmichael, Dilworth and Dett.
“It is always a great way to finish our season, and a great pleasure for us, to invite our Friends to join us for this concert,” says Cordus Mundi founder/artistic director Rick Rosen. “This is somewhat of a new version of Cordus & Friends, with a few new singers in the group, new conductors, and a renewed appreciation for the beauty, power, and strength of this music.”
For those unable to attend the live performance of June 12, a video of the performance will be made available for online viewing beginning one week later. Tickets for the online video option are available at the group’s website (www.cordusmundi.com). Tickets for the live performance of “Cordus & Friends” are $20 (no charge for children under 12) and are available at the website or at the door. Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 6587 Upper York Rd. In Solebury, PA.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2022
Contact: Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
“Cordus Accompanied” Concert
Includes Live World Premiere
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi returns to the stage with “Cordus Accompanied”, a concert of choral music written primarily by contemporary composers and highlighted by the live World Premiere of “The Lamb”, commissioned by and written for the group by world famous composer Ola Gjeilo in 2019. The performance is slated for Sunday afternoon, April 3 at 4:00 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury.
In addition to the debut of Gjeilo’s commissioned piece, Cordus Mundi’s concert includes modern music from an array of exciting composers, including Pablo Casals, Rosephanye Powell, Stephen Chatman, Dominick DiOrio, Paul Sjolund, Michael John Trotta, Donald Patriquin, Dan Campolieta, and Franz Biebl. The group will be accompanied on selected pieces by gifted musicians Hannah Albrecht (piano), Tara Harvey (oboe), and Tom Warneck (cello).
“The Lamb” is the second new choral music piece resulting from Cordus Mundi’s subscriber-supported Commission Fund, which is designed specifically to encourage the development of new choral music for tenor and bass voices. Additional commissions are scheduled for upcoming seasons. Of his new composition, Gjeilo notes, “The Lamb is very much about innocence, which led me in the direction of something chant-like, continually supported by drones, interspersed between the voice parts throughout the piece - until it is all relieved by a more romantic theme at the end.”
Tickets for “Cordus Accompanied” are $20 (no charge for children under 12) and are available at the group’s website (www.cordusmundi.com) or at the door. Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 6587 Upper York Rd. In Solebury, PA.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2022
Contact:
Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi to Appear in Newtown
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi will be proudly participating in the Lutheran Church of God’s Love (Newtown, PA) concert series, celebrating the church’s fiftieth anniversary, with a performance at the church on Sunday afternoon, March 20th at 3:00 p.m.
Cordus Mundi’s program will feature a collection of sacred and secular music from throughout Cordus’ repertoire, representing a wide variety of composers, styles, and eras. Composers contributing music to the performance include Pablo Casals, Franz Biebl, Richard Rodgers, Stephen Flaherty, Rosephanye Powell, Dominick DiOrio, Elizabeth Alexander, Harold Arlen, Paul Sjolund, Karen Marrolli, Andrae Crouch, Alice Parker, and more. The concert is made up predominantly of a cappella pieces, with a little bit of piano added into the mix.
Admission is free for this concert and all are welcome to attend - the entire concert series is made possible with support from the Henry & Ruth Pfister Performing Arts Fund as part of the church’s 50th anniversary commemoration. Current concert Covid protocol, subject to change, calls for audience members to be masked, with full vaccination strongly recommended. Church of God’s Love is located at 791 Newtown Yardley Road in Newtown, PA.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com, or at 650.219.2748. Or Lutheran Church of God’s Love, https://godslovenewtown.org or (215) 968-4335.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 2, 2020
Contact:
Cordus Mundi, 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Begins 15th Anniversary Season Online
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi plans to begin the 2020-2021 concert season in Covid-conscious fashion online with a succession of regularly-issued virtual videos featuring Cordus members, Cordus alumni, and guests. Cordus friends and fans can look for a series of music videos through December, culminating in some much-needed and comforting carols during the Christmas season. Cordus’ first video of the season will be released in mid-October.
Additionally, Cordus Mundi will be continuing the group’s regular Cordus Conversation series, a collection of online conversations with Cordus artistic director/founder Rick Rosen, music director Tim Harrell, and numerous musical colleagues. Cordus Conversations have thus far been held with choral luminaries including composer/conductor Craig Hella Johnson, composers Ola Gjeilo & Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, and educators David Frying and Joy Hirokawa.
Cordus Mundi new music, events and other materials are accessible online via Cordus’ YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website (www.cordusmundi.com).
Says Rosen, “OK, so Cordus Mundi’s 15th season just happens to come up this very unusual year, in this most unusual of musical environments. It’ll be unlike any previous Cordus Mundi season - we can pretty much guarantee that - but we’ve got a lot to be proud of, and throughout the upcoming months, we will rise to the challenge and celebrate fifteen years of male a cappella singing.”
With the new year, Cordus Mundi will begin work on an early-Spring special 15th Anniversary Celebration, currently planned as an online watch party, complete with new music, guests, and surprises. Regular releases of new online music videos featuring Cordus Mundi audience favorites and Cordus Conversations will continue.
“We recognize that this is not necessarily the season that any of us thought about when the planning began, but at Cordus Mundi, we view this season as an opportunity for all of us to experience the group & our music in greater depth,” notes Rosen. “While live performance is, of course, our shared ultimate goal, we’re looking enthusiastically forward to making music for our audience, even under these creative and challenging circumstances.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2020
Contact:
Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi to Present Virtual World Premiere in July
“The original plan was to present the World Premiere of ‘The Lamb’, commissioned by and written for Cordus Mundi by world famous composer Ola Gjeilo, in two spring concerts,” notes Cordus artistic director Rick Rosen. “That plan obviously had to be shut down, and we’re now onto Plan B - a virtual world premiere.”
Cordus Mundi & a guest instrumentalist will be staging the virtual world premiere of “The Lamb” as an interactive YouTube watch party event, complete with check-ins from the composer, Cordus members and supporters, performance videos, dialog opportunities,and the first showing of “The Lamb” group video. The date and time for this premiere event will be announced shortly.
Of his new composition, Gjeilo notes, “The Lamb is very much about innocence, which led me in the direction of something chant-like, continually supported by drones, interspersed between the voice parts throughout the piece - until it is all relieved by a more romantic theme at the end.
“The Lamb” is the second new choral music piece resulting from Cordus Mundi’s subscriber-supported Commission Fund, which is designed specifically to encourage the development of new choral music for tenor and bass voices. Additional commissions are scheduled for upcoming seasons. ”
Cordus Mundi’s YouTube channel can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCraZhgc0oGEBGN7VunGbm7A
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com , or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2020
Cordus Mundi 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
“Contemporary Cordus” Concerts Include World Premiere
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi presents two early April concerts of choral music written by contemporary composers, highlighting the World Premiere of “The Lamb”, commissioned by and written for the group by world famous composer Ola Gjeilo. Performances are slated for April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of God’s Love in Newtown, and April 5 @ 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown.
In addition to the debut of Gjeilo’s commissioned piece, Cordus Mundi’s concerts include modern music from an array of exciting, current composers, including Stephen Chatman, Jonathan David, Simon Beattie, James Taylor, Tony Banks & Steve Hackett, Lee Kesselman, Thomas More Scott, Brian Setzer, and more. “Washington’s Crossing”, written by Cordus Mundi bass Steve Mallon, will receive its second round of performances at these concerts, as well.
“The Lamb” is the second new choral music piece resulting from Cordus Mundi’s subscriber-supported Commission Fund, which is designed specifically to encourage the development of new choral music for tenor and bass voices. Additional commissions are scheduled for upcoming seasons. Of his new composition, Gjeilo notes, “The Lamb is very much about innocence, which led me in the direction of something chant-like, continually supported by drones, interspersed between the voice parts throughout the piece - until it is all relieved by a more romantic theme at the end.”
Tickets for “Contemporary Cordus” are $20 (no charge for children under 12) and are available at the group’s website ( www.cordusmundi.com) or at the door. Cordus Mundi’s recently-released CD “Unforgettable” will also be available for purchase at these concerts. Lutheran Church of God’s Love is located at 791 Newtown Yardley Rd. in Newtown; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is located at 301 N. Broad St. in Doylestown.
For more information, contact Cordus Mundi online at www.cordusmundi.com , or at 650.219.2748.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 23, 2019
Cordus Mundi, 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing Group, 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Travels the World & Premieres a New CD
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi begins the 2019-2020 concert season on November 23 & 24 with a program entitled “Music of the World”. Concerts will take place on November 23 @ 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Messiah in Lower Gwynedd, and on November 24 @ 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown.
As one might expect, Cordus’ “Music of the World” program is a quick trip around the world of music, and includes songs and compositions from Scandinavia, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and more. Music comes from a typically wide range of composers, eras, and styles, including works from Greig, Lauridsen, Casals, Puccini, Alfven, Naverud, Arnesen, Betinis, Quartel, and Clarke, as well as traditional songs from several cultures.
The November concerts mark the formal release of Cordus Mundi’s second CD, “Unforgettable”, containing some of the best music made during the 2018-2019 Cordus concert season. CDs will be available for sale at the concerts for $15.
Tickets for Cordus Mundi’s “Music of the World” concerts are $20 with children 12 & under admitted at no charge. Links to discounted advance tickets and special CD introductory deals can be found online @ www.cordusmundi.com. Church of the Messiah is located at 1001 Dekalb Pike, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002, and St. Paul’s Lutheran is located at 301 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 25, 2019
Cordus Mundi - 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing - 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Presents "Cordus Mundi & Friends"
Bucks County-Based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi brings the choral season to an exciting conclusion with the ninth annual Cordus & Friends collaborative concert, featuring guest conductor Dr. David Fryling, who will lead a full choir made up of Cordus Mundi members and their invited soprano and alto Friends. The concert and post-concert celebration occur on Sunday afternoon, June 10, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, beginning with the concert at 4:00 p.m.
The concert begins with a short set from Cordus Mundi with music from Carrillo, Hill, Barnum, Riggs, Sieving, and Arlen. Under the inspired direction of Dr. Fryling, Cordus & Friends and the Cordus Friends alone will then sing an accompanied and unaccompanied program with music from Douma, Vaughan Williams, Esenvalds, Chydenius, Shabalala, Parton, Tindley, Hall, Johnson, and Alexander. Timothy Harrell, Cordus Mundi member and organist/ choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, will provide selected piano accompaniment.
Cordus Mundi's Friends are selected and invited by Cordus to join the Cordus & Friends ensemble each year for the performance with Dr. Fryling. They come from a variety of area singing groups, including many Bucks County Choral Society singers. Dr. Fryling (professor of music and director of choral studies at Hofstra University and son of Cordus Mundi music director David W. Fryling) is a well-known and highly-respected choral clinician and conductor, who has assisted in Cordus Mundi's development for several years.
Tickets for "Cordus & Friends" are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge. The post-concert reception/anniversary celebration will follow at the concert's conclusion. Tickets can be purchased from Cordus Mundi members and/or Cordus Mundi Friends, or at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, telephone Cordus Mundi at 650.219.2748, or make contact online at www.cordusmundi.com, or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 11, 2019
Cordus Mundi - 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing - 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Presents “Fields of Gold - A Musical Landscape”
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi’s season continues with “Fields of Gold - A Musical Landscape”. Performances will take place at Lutheran Church of God’s Love in Newtown (March 30 @ 7:30 p.m.), and Doylestown Lutheran Church (March 31 @ 4:00 p.m.).
“Fields of Gold - A Musical Landscape” includes mostly a cappella music from a wide range of composers, and in a wide range of musical styles. Composers include Dunstable, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Bernstein, Clausen, Horvath, Perkins, Sumner, Stills, Beech and more. Alice Parker’s How deep the silence of the soul, commissioned by Cordus Mundi last season, will receive its second performance, and Zachary Wadsworth’s Love’s History, previously commissioned by the group, will also be featured. The programs also include Cordus Mundi’s performances of Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie Mercury’s masterpiece.
“We’re making plans for our second CD and we’ll be recording all of this season’s concerts - the best performances will end up on the CD,” notes group founder/artistic director Rick Rosen. “To make it interesting and to try to cover as much of our 13+ year history as we can, each concert will include two of the new pieces we’ve either commissioned or premiered, as well as a good mix of Cordus favorites and additions to the repertoire.”
Tickets for both the Lutheran Church of God’s Love, 791 Newtown Yardley Rd, Newtown, PA and Doylestown Lutheran Church, 301 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901 performances of “Fields of Gold” are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge, and can be purchased at www.cordusmundi.com or at the door. For additional information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748 or online at www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 20, 2018
Cordus Mundi - 650.219.2748
Rick Rosen Marketing - 650.219.2748
Cordus Mundi Presents “Unforgettable” Concert
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi opens the 2018-2019 season with a collection of memorable music, entitled “Unforgettable”. Performances will take place at Church of the Messiah, Lower Gwynedd (11/17 @ 7:30 p.m.), and Doylestown Lutheran Church (11/18 @ 4:00 p.m.).
“Unforgettable” includes mostly a cappella music from a wide range of composers, and in a wide range of musical styles. Composers include Morley, Poulenc, Gibbs, DiOrio, Barnum, Moore, Rudoi, and more. J. David Moore’s beautiful Epitaph, premiered by Cordus Mundi last season, will receive its second performance, and Barnum’s The Young Man’s Song, co-commissioned by the group, will also be featured. Cordus Mundi tenor and accompanist Timothy Harrell provides piano accompaniment on these pieces.
“We’re making plans for our second CD and we’ll be recording all of this season’s concerts - the best performances will end up on the CD,” notes group founder/artistic director Rick Rosen. “To make it interesting and to try to cover as much of our 13+ year history as we can, each concert will include two of the new pieces we’ve either commissioned or premiered, as well as a good mix of Cordus favorites and additions to the repertoire.”
Tickets for both the Church of the Messiah, 1001 DeKalb Pike, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002and Doylestown Lutheran Church, 301 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901 performances of “Unforgettable” are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge, and can be purchased at www.cordusmundi.com or at the door. For additional information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748 or online at www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 11, 2018
Cordus Mundi Presents "Cordus Mundi & Friends" and Parker World Premiere
Male a cappella group Cordus Mundi brings the choral season to an exciting conclusion with the eighth annual Cordus & Friends collaborative concert, featuring guest conductor Dr. David Fryling, who will lead a full choir made up of Cordus Mundi members and their invited soprano and alto Friends. The concert and post-concert celebration occur on Sunday afternoon, June 10, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, beginning with the concert at 4:00 p.m.
Cordus Mundi will lead off the program with a short set featuring the world premiere of new music from world-renowned composer Alice Parker, expressly commissioned through the Cordus Mundi Commission Fund. Cordus' set also includes music from Perotin, Childs, Bright, and a recent modern composer named Freddie Mercury. Cordus & Friends under the direction of Dr. Fryling will then sing an accompanied and unaccompanied program focusing on "The Americas", with sections devoted to Americana, Indigenous Peoples, and South America. Featured composers include, Edwards, Raminsh, Aguiar, Hatfield, Robinovitch, Hogan, and more. Timothy Harrell, Cordus Mundi member and organist/ choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury will provide selected piano accompaniment.
Cordus Mundi's Friends are selected and invited by Cordus to join the Cordus & Friends ensemble each year for the performance with Dr. Fryling. They come from a variety of area singing groups, including many Bucks County Choral Society singers. Dr. Fryling (professor of music and director of choral studies at Hofstra University and son of Cordus Mundi music director David W. Fryling) is a well-known and highly-respected choral clinician and conductor, who has assisted in Cordus Mundi's development for several years.
Tickets for "Cordus & Friends" are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge. The post-concert reception/anniversary celebration will follow at the concert's conclusion. Tickets can be purchased from Cordus Mundi members and/or Cordus Mundi Friends, or at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, telephone Cordus Mundi at 650.219.2748, or make contact online at www.cordusmundi.com, or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 3, 2018
Trinity Solebury is Alive with the Sounds of (Choral) Music!
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi concludes it's concert season on June 10th @ 4pm with a musical extravaganza at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, PA, featuring Cordus Mundi, the world premiere of a new piece from famed choral composer-arranger Alice Parker, Cordus' soprano & alto Friends, and guest conductor Dr. David Fryling of Hofstra University.
Cordus Mundi's section of the program spans the 12th - 21st century, including music from Perotin, Bright, Childs, Freddie Mercury (!), and the world premiere of Alice Parker's "How Deep the Silence of the Soul", commissioned by Cordus Mundi. Cordus' Friends & Dr. Fryling will present a musical set as well, and the concert concludes with the full Cordus & Friends choir, led by Dr. Fryling.
"This concert is an honor for us", says Cordus Mundi artistic director/founder Rick Rosen. "It is an honor to host our Friends, to work with Dr. Fryling, and a special honor to be presenting a new Alice Parker piece."
Parker's emotional and contemplative "How Deep the Silence of the Soul" is the first piece to emerge as a result of the founding of the Cordus Mundi Commissioning Fund. The Fund is set up to enable Cordus Mundi to commission and present new male choral works on a semi-regular basis.
Tickets for the upcoming Cordus & Friends concert are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge, and can be purchased at www.cordusmundi.com or at the door. For additional concert or Commission Fund information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748 or online at www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 3, 2018
Cordus Mundi Presents a Passionate Collection
(and a World Premiere)
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi's concert season continues on April 8th @ 4pm in Doylestown at St. Paul's Lutheran Church 301 N. Main St., with the presentation of a passionate, stirring collection of predominantly a cappella choral music. The choral collection draws, with a few exceptions, from the music of 20th and 21st century composers, including Powell, Culloton, Casals, Chatman, Dawson, Shabalala, and Clarke, and features the world premiere of "Epitaph" for male chorus and piano, from Minnesota composer J. David Moore.
Moore's music has been called "endlessly inventive", "glorious … haunting … breathtaking …", and "joyous …wild and elemental" by critics and reviewers. Notes Cordus Mundi artistic director/founder Rick Rosen, "David Moore's new piece is stunning, beautiful and inspiring. We are thrilled and honored to be able to bring this wonderful music into the world."
Tickets for the upcoming Cordus Collection concert are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge, and can be purchased at www.cordusmundi.com or at the door. For additional information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748 or online at www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2017
Cordus Mundi Presents Pops Concert Weekend
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi takes a novel approach to the beginning of the 2017-2018 season by presenting "Cordus Pops", a full program of popular songs, drawn from a wide variety of musical sources. Performances will take place at Church of the Holy Spirit, Harleysville (11/17 @ 7:30 p.m.), Church of the Messiah, Lower Gwynedd (11/18 @ 7:30 p.m.), and Doylestown Presbyterian Church (11/19 @ 4:00 p.m.).
The "Cordus Pops" program includes songs and arrangements from Lennon & McCartney, George Harrison, Sting, Jason Mraz, Billy Joel, Freddie Mercury, Dobie Gray and Dion DiMucci, music from Broadway, and more. In addition to Cordus Mundi's trademark strong ensemble singing, audiences will have an opportunity to hear individual members of the group in featured roles.
"For our twelfth season, we thought it was time to start things off a little differently," notes group founder/artistic director Rick Rosen. "Due primarily to the instigation and inspiration of David Fryling, our musical director, we came up with a great pile of music, much of which allows Cordus Mundi to investigate some new musical territory. This'll be fun for all!"
Tickets for "Cordus Pops" at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Rd., Harleysville, PA 19438 can be obtained by contacting the church at 215.234.8020. Tickets for both the Church of the Messiah, 1001 DeKalb Pike, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002and Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court St., Doylestown, PA 18901 performances are $20.00, with children under 12 admitted at no charge, and can be purchased at www.cordusmundi.com or at the door. For additional information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748 or online at www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2017
Cordus Mundi Creates Fund for New Music
With generous local support, Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi has announced the Cordus Mundi Commission Fund, an ambitious project designed to add several pieces of new music to the male choral repertoire. Over a ten year period, Cordus Mundi plans to commission and perform five new choral pieces, composed especially for the group.
Contracts have been signed for the first two commissions from the Commission Fund. The series will begin with a piece for the 2017-2018 season from venerated composer & arranger Alice Parker. A new composition from internationally acclaimed modern composer Ola Geilo is scheduled for the 2019 - 2020 season.
Seed funding for the Cordus Mundi Commission Fund comes as the result of a partnership between Cordus Mundi and the Andersen family of Bucks County. "The musical appreciation and generosity of the Andersen family will enable us to get the commissioning project off the ground and flying," notes Rick Rosen, the group's artistic director. "As we expand beyond the first couple of commissions, we'll be looking to expand the supporter base for the project - the idea is to just keep commissioning and introducing new music well into the future."
Cordus Mundi began life in Bucks County, PA in January, 2005 with a compliment of nine voices. In Cordus' first decade, the group has continued to grow while giving concerts and performances throughout a several county-wide area. In their first decade, Cordus Mundi has worked with composer Morten Lauridsen, performed frequently with guest conductor and mentor Dr. David Fryling of Hofstra University, participated in a concert/concert CD project with WWFM radio, and recorded a live performance CD.
The seventeen-man group draws its singing repertoire from a wide range of composers and styles encompassing the 12th - 21st centuries. Cordus Mundi music ranges from Dunstable to Durufle, from Byrd to Bernstein, from Perotin to Paranjoti, from Brahms to the Beatles, and from Jacob Handl to Edie Hill. The group sings four primary concerts per season, with additional performances scheduled throughout the year.
"We're thrilled to be starting our commissioning venture with pieces from two major composers," notes Cordus Mundi board chairman Dennis Walsh." The Fund is off to a great start and we're pleased and proud to be making important contributions to the male a cappella repertoire."
To contribute to the Commission Fund, for concert tickets, or for more information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748, online @ www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2017
JUST Cordus - Just A Cappella
Bucks County-based male a cappella group Cordus Mundi returns to its roots with a refreshing and inspiring concert of old and new "a cappella only " music, drawn from a wide range of styles, eras, and influences. The seventeen-man group will be performing on Sunday afternoon, April 2 @ 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Doylestown.
Music for the program comes from a variety of sources - from familiar composers such as Bach, Morley, Musorgsky, Schubert, and Durufle, to lesser-known modern composers, including Troup, Parris, Takach, and Da Rold as well.
Male a cappella group Cordus Mundi began life in Bucks County, PA in January, 2005. In Cordus’ first decade, the group has continued to grow while giving regular concerts and additional performances throughout a several county-wide area. Cordus Mundi has sung with composer Morten Lauridsen, worked frequently with guest conductor and mentor Dr. David Fryling of Hofstra University, participated in a concert/concert CD project with WWFM radio, recorded a live performance CD, and commissioned new compositions from current choral composers.
Tickets for the "Just Cordus/Just A Cappella" are $20 and are available at the door on the afternoon of the concert, or on the Cordus Mundi website (www.cordusmundi.com). St. Paul's Lutheran Church is located at 301 N. Main St. in Doylestown. For more information, contact Cordus Mundi @ 650.219.2748, online @ www.cordusmundi.com or on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 15, 2016
Classical Minnesota Public Radio launched the Choral Stream
Here is a free resource for you! Classical Minnesota Public Radio offers the Choral Stream, a 24/7 music stream dedicated to sharing the finest choral pieces and ensembles. They refresh the programming constantly and are honored to share music with Choral Stream listeners on ClassicalMPR.org
and their national site, YourClassical.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 1, 2015
Bucks County Commissioners Honor Cordus Mundi
Cordus Mundi founder/artistic director Rick Rosen is pictured here with County Commissioners Robert G. Loughery and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia at a ceremony held on November 18, 2105 in Doylestown, PA. Cordus Mundi was presented with a Proclamation from the County in recognition of the group's tenth anniversary and in appreciation of Cordus Mundi's decade of service to the local and regional community.
Proclamation
WHEREAS, CORDUS MUNDI is celebrating its 10-year anniversary as the region’s premier all male a capella vocal ensemble; and
WHEREAS, the original ensemble of nine men has grown to 18, and both the founder and music director originate from Bucks County; and
WHEREAS, the repertoire of CORDUS MUNDI highlights cultures and ethnic traditions from around the world; and
WHEREAS, CORDUS MUNDI has shared its stage with other regional ensembles to expand exposure to diverse contemporary and classical choral music and provides concerts for seniors in a growing number of Retirement Communities in both Bucks and Montgomery Counties; and
WHEREAS, CORDUS MUNDI donates its services to the annual Tree of Hope ceremony held at the Bucks County Courthouse to celebrate recovery from the disease of addiction; and
WHEREAS, in the last three years the group has recorded a compact disc called “Tracks” and commissioned two choral compositions to be debuted in this, its 10th anniversary season.
NOW THEREFORE, do we, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, Chairman Robert G. Loughery, Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, hereby proclaim November 18, 2015 as “CORDUS MUNDI DAY” throughout the County of Bucks.
In so doing, we also recognize CORDUS MUNDI for 10 years of achievement in enhancing and enriching the cultural fabric of Bucks County. We also applaud the group for providing acces-sible opportunities for residents of all ages to be inspired by the power of live performance and ex-panding appreciation for excellence in choral music.