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Festival Chorus Spring Concert Dedicated to Former Conductor Edwin L Kemp III

As The Festival Chorus prepares for its 2018 Spring Concert, accompanied by a professional orchestra, they are also are reflecting on the important contribution brought by Edwin Kemp, the second of four conductors the chorus has had in its 53 year history. Born January 23, 1944, Mr. Kemp passed away on January 27, 2018, following an extended convalescence from serious injuries. The May 6 Spring Concert will be dedicated to him.

Ed Kemp received his basic musical training at Northwestern School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music in 1966 and a Masters in Music the following year. He studied voice with Hermanus Beer and conducting with John Paynter. For three years, starting in 1973, he studied in Germany with Helmut Kretschmar at the Muskakademie in Detmold. Over the years he sang in many concerts, oratorios and operas, both locally and abroad.

The Festival Chorus was founded in 1965, starting first as a combined church choir that performed at an ecumenical service. It then became The Elk Grove Festival Chorus. In 1968 the Harper College Music Department head invited the chorus to affiliate with the school. The chorus's first conductor was its founder, Anthony Mostardo. He remained in that position for 32 years. In December of 1997, Ed Kemp became the second conductor. He had already served for many years as assistant conductor. He stepped down from his work in and with the chorus in 2010. Ann Espel succeeded him. During the time Mr. Kemp conducted, he brought much to the group including his sensitivity, his expertise, his sense of humor, his story telling ability and his team spirit. It was quite obvious at his celebration of life service on February 17 that many people appreciated and respected Ed Kemp, but none more than the members of the chorus who sang that day.

Greg Tipps is the fourth and current conductor of The Festival Chorus. Under his guidance the chorus continues to flourish, reaching back to the group's earlier days and leaders for inspiration. The Spring Concert 2018 will take place at the Harper College Performing Arts Center on Sunday, May 6, beginning at 3:00 pm. The program features a work that Ed conducted at his first Spring Concert, Gabriel Faure's Requiem, as well as a collection of shorter works selected by Greg. They range from Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water to Irving Berlin's God Bless America and include Dan Forrest's Lord of the Small, Craig Courtney's Idyll of Praise, John David's You Are the New Day, Scottish Folk Song Over the Sea to Skye, Mark Hayes's arrangement of Grace and Greg Gilpin's Why We Sing. It is this final song that probably best represents the legacy of Conductor Edwin Kemp. "A sound of hope, a sound of peace, a sound that celebrates and speaks what we believe. A sound of love, a sound so strong. It's amazing what is given when we share a song."

For concert tickets, contact harpercollege.edu/boxoffice or call 847.925.6100. General Admission is $18 with discounts for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are free.

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