Judson to host Guitar Ensemble and Chamber Singers Recital April 13
This year's Guitar Ensemble and Chamber Singers Recital will feature more than beautiful voices and instrumentation, it will showcase musical compositions written by two of Judson's own.
Josh Jones, director of the Judson Chamber Singers and an associate professor of music, and Ben Richardson, a 2014 music composition graduate, have both written musical pieces that will be performed during the recital at 7 p.m. Friday, April 13, in the Thulin Auditorium in Thompson Hall, 1151 N. State St., Elgin.
Jones is active in recital and concert performances throughout the Chicago area. He has performed as a professional chorister with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Music Festival, and the Lakeside Singers. Since 2000, he has served on the music faculty at Judson, where he coordinates the vocal division, teaches voice and composition courses, and directs the Chamber Singers ensemble. He has also taught at the College of DuPage and Elmhurst College.
His composition, written for a cappella chamber choir, is titled "Psalm of Praise" and is a modern setting of a poem written by Robert Grant based on Psalm 19.
Richardson earned his bachelor's degree in music composition from Judson in 2014. During his time as a student, he studied under the tutelage of Jones and with Christopher Lemons of DePaul University. His main artistic interest is writing music informed by contemporary and historical musical traditions. This interest extends to multimedia and collaboration with artists in other disciplines.
In addition to writing chamber ensemble, choir and orchestral concert works, Richardson has contributed music to art installation projects and student films. He serves as the technical director in the NextGen ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington. In his spare time, he develops music and sound design for an independent computer game project with his brother, alum Jon Richardson, Class of 2016.
His composition, written for both the Guitar Ensemble and Chamber Singers, is entitled "A New Commandment" and is based on John 13: 34-35.
The recital is free and open to the public. Visit www.judsonu.edu.