Audio: "Jesu, dulcis memoria" by Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 - 1611), sung by the SsAM Choral Scholars in Latin on Sunday, March 20, 2011. Recorded live. Translation: Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see, and in Thy Presence rest."
Video: The SsAM Choral Scholars sang William Byrd’s “Ave verum corpus” on Sunday, February 21, 2010.
Choral Scholars at SsAM
Under the direction of David Christopher, The SsAM Choral Scholars are a group of professional singers who not only serve as the core for the SsAM Adult Choir, but make up an exceptional vocal ensemble -- one of the finest groups of it's kind in the region. Frequently featured in worship at SsAM as well as in concert settings, the Choral Scholars perform a wide range of music including Gregorian Chant, Renaissance Motets, Madrigals and Chansons as well as selections from the contemporary and world music repertoire.
ANGELYN ROBINSON, Soprano - Angelyn has been a Choral Scholar and vocal soloist at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Mathew in Wilmington, Delaware since the fall of 1999. While at the University of Delaware she performed the following roles, “The Wife” in the Music shop by R. Wargo, “Lady Billows” in Albert Herring by B. Britten, and “Roselinda” in Die Fledermouse by J. Strauss. Her professional opera career began in Graz, Austira in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. She most recently performed in Opera Delaware’s productions of Aida, Tosca, Porgy and Bess and Die Fledermous. Angelyn has also performed in the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s productions of Porgy Bess, Margret Garner and Norma. Angelyn’s solo performances have been with The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware, Delaware Valley Chorale, Newark Symphany Orchestra, University of Delaware Orchestra and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Angelyn’s honors include First place in the Eastern Regional NATS competition, and finalist in the Kennet Symphony vocal competition. She currently studies with David Christopher of Wilmington, Delaware.
LESLIE GRANT, Soprano - Leslie Grant holds a B.A. in Music Education and a Masters in Vocal Performance from West Chester University. She currently teaches General and Choral Music at Brandywine Springs School in Wilmington, DE (K-8). Voted Teacher of the Year in 1997, Ms. Grant is certified in both Kodaly and Orff applications of music education. In 2003, Delaware Symphony named her recipient of the Jesse Ball DuPont Award, given to that educator who has made significant impact in the field of music education. In 2005, Ms. Grant achieved National Board Certification, specializing in Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 3 – 14). She has acted as Asst. Director, followed by Director of Music Education for the Wilmington Children's Chorus from 2003 – 2007. Ms. Grant's appearances in Opera Delaware productions include being one of The Quartet in Little Women, The Tales of Hoffman, The Merry Widow, Turandot, Pagliacci, The Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers, The Merry Widow, La Boheme, Die Fledermaus, and La Traviata. Prior roles include Laetitia in The Old Maid and The Thief, Susannah in Susannah, and The Witch in Hansel & Gretel, as well as appearances with The Pennsylvania Opera Theater (Count Ory, The Tales of Hoffman and The Sybil). She continues to participate in local concerts performed by Delaware Valley Chorale, Saints Andrew & Mathew Church, the Delaware Symphony, and celebration concerts offered by the City of Wilmington.
TINA BETZ, Contralto - Prior to her appointment in 2001 as Mayor James Baker's Cultural Affairs Director, Tina was a full-time actor/singer who performed in concerts, plays, and musical theater. As Cultural Affairs Director, Tina's responsibilities for the City of Wilmington include arts and cultural liaison, tourism development, arts education initiatives, and special events coordination. Tina is a member of the Choral Scholars, a professional octet in residence at the Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew. Tina is an alumna of Boston University where she majored in psychology with a minor in performing arts. Tina also attended classes in musical theater at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts and at H. B. Studios in New York City.
SUZETTE BURGESS, Mezzo-Soprano - Suzette Scheffler Burgess travels from Elkton, Maryland, for the privilege of singing with the Choral Scholars. Originally from Hagerstown, she graduated from Western Maryland College with a BA in Music Education, and received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from West Chester University. A music teacher for the Cecil County (Maryland) public school system, Suzette currently teaches vocal/choral music at North East High School. Outside of her day job, Suzette has performed with the Delaware Valley Chorale, Chorale Delaware, the Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir, and NewArk Chorale. She is especially fond of musical theatre, and has served as music director and/or performed on stage with the Wilmington Drama League, Three Little Bakers Theatre, Covered Bridge Theatre, The Tidewater Players, The Players Club of Swarthmore, and The Brandywiners.. Suzette lives with the other musicians in her family: her three children, Emily, Keith, and Alison, and her husband, Matt.
DAVID ANDERSON, Tenor - David is in his second season with the SsAM Choral Scholars. This past summer, David was heard in recital in Wilmington, DE, Tucson, AZ, and Reno, NV. David appears professionally with the Opera Delaware Chorus and The Delaware Valley Chorale. He has also performed with several community choruses most recently with The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware and Orpheus Male Chorus in Phoenix, AZ. He studied voice with Elliot Jones and currently studies with David Christopher.
DARRIN PETERS, Tenor - Darrin Peters, a native Delawarean, is pleased to be singing under the direction of David Christopher as a Choral Scholar at SsAM. Darrin has a BS in Music Education from West Chester University and has been teaching music for the last fourteen years. He is currently the choral director at Pennsville Memorial HS in New Jersey and the conductor of The Brandywiners Chorale. After college, Darrin pursued a professional theatre career. During that time, he performed in such theatres as: The Bucks County Playhouse, The Millbrook Playhouse, The Pocono Playhouse, The Milton Dinner Theatre, The Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, The New Candlelight Dinner Theatre, and The Media Theatre. After performing in the Media Theatre's "My Fair Lady", he was the choreographer/assistant director for the 1995-1996 season. Currently, Darrin serves as the resident choreographer for Young People's Theatre Workshop in Swarthmore, PA. Darrin has enjoyed teaching students of various ages at YPTW for over fifteen years. Some of Darrin's favorite roles onstage include Bill in "Me and My Girl", Frankie in "Forever Plaid", Bobby in "Crazy for You", George M. Cohan in "George M.", Danny in "Baby", Jesus in "Godspell", and Don Lockwood in "Singin' in the Rain".
PATRICK MURRAY. Patrick Murray is a Sophomore in Music Education - Choral/General major at the University of Delaware. He studies voice under Dr. Melanie DeMent. A native of the Philadelphia suburbs, Patrick has been an active musician for many years. He has been in choirs that toured extensively through the United States and Europe. Noted performances include Bass soloist in Mozart's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat, and Orff's Carmina Burana as well as multiple choir tours to Italy. At the University of Delaware, Patrick has traveled to Spain with the University of Delaware Chorale to compete in the Tolosa International Choral Competition, where the choir took second prize. He is looking forward to their tour of Greece, Germany, Austria, and Hungary to compete in the Bella Bartok Choral Competition. As a part of the University of Delaware's Opera Theater, Patrick has performed in multiple full-length operatic productions including, Mozart's Don Gionvanni, Strauss' Die Fledermaus (Frank), and most recently Conte's America Tropical (Camero). In the spring of 2012, Patrick will be portraying Marco in Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi as part of the complete Il Trittico. This is Patrick's first year as SsAM and he is very pleased to be part of such a wonderful community.
KEITH SCHWARTZ - Keith is senior working towards a Bachelors of Music in vocal performance at the University of Delaware. A native of the Washington D.C. area, Keith has been in countless musicals, concerts and opera productions both in the DC Metro Area and in Delaware. He is very active in the music department at the University of Delaware and has been cast in many leading roles in opera productions including Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni and Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro. Keith is also a member of the internationally awarded University of Delaware Chorale and was a soloist with the Chorale during their participation in the Tolosa Choral Competition in Tolosa, Spain during October of 2010. Keith is thrilled to be a part of the SsAM community!