Conductor Jeffrey Cobb visited Classical IPR studios on Thursday to discuss his upcoming choral concerts featuring the Northwestern Michigan College Chamber Singers and the Grand Traverse Chorale.
"It's heart-touching and soul-touching," says Jeffrey Cobb about the music of John Rutter. "He just crafts the most beautiful melodies."
"And as a singer, I think anybody who's ever performed any of his works can really appreciate [that] he really knows the voice. Rutter grew up as a chorister in the Anglican church and he's been singing himself his entire life. Everything he writes is just so singable."
Jeffrey Cobb directs the NMC Chamber Singers this weekend in Traverse City with a program "Music of Solace and Strength." This concert will showcase the works of composers Elaine Hagenberg, Jonathan Rodger, Maryam Khoury, David Childs, Andrea Ramsey and Jeffrey Cobb.
Friday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)
NMC Chamber Singers: Music of Solace and Strength
The Alluvion, Traverse City
>> Tickets & more information
The NMC Concert Band and Grand Traverse Chorale will present a Saturday evening concert featuring John Rutter's "Requiem" with Interlochen's Laura Osgood Brown as the featured soprano soloist and Interlochen cellist Patrick Owen.
Saturday, Mar. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
NMC Concert Band and NMC Grand Traverse Chorale: Orchestral Favorites Arranged for Band and Choir
Corson Auditorium, Interlochen
>> Tickets & more information
Discover more in an interview with Jeffrey Cobb by clicking the "Listen" button above.
About the performers:
The NMC Chamber Singers is one of three choirs offered by the NMC Music Department. Chamber Singers is made up of high school students, college students and community members. The NMC Grand Traverse Chorale is a mixed-ensemble (SATB) and frequently performs with the Traverse City Philharmonic.
In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Jeffrey Cobb is the Director of Music Programs and Choirs at Northwestern Michigan College, Managing Director of the NMC Children’s Choirs and Director of Music at Traverse City Central United Methodist Church.
