From traditional Latin favorites to contemporary voices, the children of the Miami Children’s Chorus will have you singing and dancing to the beat as they present a community sing-along titled “Sing Miami: Music of the Americas.”
The sing-along will take place on Saturday, Apr. 9, 2 p.m., at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in the Ziff Ballet Opera House Peacock Foundation Studio.
Leading the songs will be Maestro Cristian Grases, who received his doctorate from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
Dr. Grases joined the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music faculty in the Fall 2010 semester as assistant professor of choral music and conductor of the USC Thornton Concert Choir. Born in Venezuela, he earned degrees from the Simón Bolívar University (MM) in Caracas, Venezuela, and the University of Miami (DMA).
He previously has served as interim director of choral activities at Central Washington University; assistant professor in choral music at California State University, Los Angeles, and national coordinator of choirs for EL SISTEMA under Maestro José Antonio Abreu. He also served as conductor for the Women’s Chamber Ensemble of the University of Miami, was the assistant conductor of the Miami Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Eduardo Marturet, and the conductor of the Young
Musician’s Orchestra.
Additionally, he is an award winning conductor and composer, and has been commissioned to write for several prestigious organizations such as the Piedmont Children’s Chorus and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. Numerous ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale have performed his works.
Dr. Grases has participated in numerous festivals, workshops, and events as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and conducting pedagogue in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. He also has presented sessions in the World Choral Symposia in Denmark, Argentina, and South Korea. Additionally he has presented at several ACDA regional and national conventions and conducted the National Latin American Honor Choir at the Salt Lake City ACDA National Convention.
Avanzato is the advanced ensemble of the Miami Children’s Chorus. It rehearses twice a week at Riviera Presbyterian Church. Members of this group perform an eclectic style of music from classical to gospel to spirituals to popular music. Their flexible vocal technique allows them to use a voice that is appropriate for each style.
MCC also sings most songs in their original language. Their most recent tour to Europe included an invitation and subsequent performance in the Great Hall of the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Singing to packed houses in the Czech Republic and Austria audiences were impressed with the majesty of their voices.
Maestro Grases will lead the children and audience members in singing the music of the Americas including stops in Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
The Miami Children’s Chorus is a not-for-profit community arts organization specializing in choral music education and performance for children ages 8-18 in Miami-Dade County. In three levels of ensemble — beginning, intermediate and advanced — MCC provides weekly rehearsals where children practice the lifelong skills of commitment, respect for self and others, and the rewards of a dedicated effort while learning the skills and techniques necessary for healthy vocal production, musicianship and artistry.
For more information visit www.miamichildrenschorus.org.
