Guelph, ON February 11, 2013 – In celebration of Black History Month, two of Canada’s foremost choirs have launched their first joint tour. The Elmer Iseler Singers and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the renowned Toronto-based professional chamber choirs, will be performing AMAZING GRACE, a celebration of the black and white spiritual traditions of North America at River Run Centre on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8 p.m. as part of the RBC Classical Arts Series.

Forty-one professional singers will come together to sing such beloved songs as Deep River, Going Home and— the hymn that is the event’s namesake— Amazing Grace.

AMAZING GRACE is inspired by the world’s most beloved folk hymn. Although generally considered to be an African American spiritual, the song was in fact written by an 18th century British slave trader who underwent a profound transformation as a result of surviving a shipwreck. The song serves as the cornerstone for the concert.

The Elmer Iseler Singers, conducted by Artistic Director Lydia Adams, is a 20-voice professional chamber choir based in Toronto. Founded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, it is one of Canada’s most illustrious professional choral ensembles. The choir has built an enviable international reputation through its concerts, broadcasts and more than 50 recordings. Known for its unique beauty of sound, the Elmer Iseler Singers bring to life an exciting repertoire that spans 500 years of great choral music.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’s first professional choral group dedicated to Afro-centric music of all styles, including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues. The 21 classically trained outstanding vocalists of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale have shared the stage with internationally recognized artists such as Joe Sealy, Jackie Richardson, opera star Kathleen Battle and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Chorale has performed at events honouring world leaders Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, personality Muhammad Ali, pianist Oscar Peterson and President Barack Obama at his 2009 inauguration.

Tickets start at $37 for adults or $35 for students and seniors. $5.00 eyeGO tickets are available for high school students with valid ID. $20 uGO tickets are available to university and college students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the River Run Box Office, or online at riverrun.ca.

For more information

Ella Pauls, Manager
Cultural Development
519-837-5662 x 2589
E ella.pauls@riverrun.ca