Michael Slon Named Interim Music Director for The Oratorio Society of Virginia
Michael Slon, highly regarded Conductor of the University Singers, Chamber Singers and a professor on the music faculty at the University of Virginia, will serve as the Interim Music Director for The Oratorio Society of Virginia for the upcoming season. Mr. Slon will lead the chorus while it launches a search for a permanent music director to be named for the 2012-2013 season.
According to long time Oratorio chorus member Kirk Dunklee, himself a choral director, "Michael Slon has proven to be an outstanding choral director in his work with the UVa choral ensembles. His polished performances demonstrate great attention to diction, musical nuance, projection and tonal quality. This attention to detail creates an audience appeal that is not always experienced in today's concert world."
Commenting on his new role, Mr. Slon observed, "I am looking forward to making music with the Oratorio Society and to connecting with singers across our community. We encourage anyone who might be interested in great choral singing to join us for auditions." Auditions will be held at the Municipal Arts Center on Wednesday, September 7 (7-10 pm) and on Thursday, September 15 (7-10 pm).
Mr. Slon is not a stranger to the group; he gave a pre-concert lecture for the most recent concert in May when the Oratorio Society performed The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. He has also served as Guest Conductor for the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, and as Conductor for South Pacific and The Magic Flute with the Ash Lawn Opera Festival and the Heritage Theater Festival's The Light in the Piazza by Guettel and Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George.
Oratorio Society President, Marc Johnson, noted, "We feel very fortunate to have someone of Michael Slon's stature on board for the coming season and are excited about the enthusiasm he demonstrates and that he is inspiring in so many of our singers. '
Recent repertoire with Mr. Slon's UVA choruses has included Orff's Carmina Burana, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, Bach's Mass in B Minor, Mozart's Mass in C Minor, Britten's Hymn to St. Cecilia, and a range of shorter a cappella and accompanied works. Opera and musical theater engagements beyond this area have included a production of Stephen Paulus' The Three Hermits with Buffalo's Opera Sacra and Into the Woods and Bernstein's Mass at Indiana University.
As visiting conducting faculty at the Oberlin Conservatory and as assistant conductor of Cincinnati's May Festival Chorus, Mr. Slon has prepared choruses for concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. His ensembles have worked with artists including Moses Hogan, Bobby McFerrin, Meredith Wonk, and Franz Welser-Möst. In 2006-2007, he was named a member of UVA's Mead Honored Faculty, an award recognizing outstanding faculty mentors.
Michael Slon holds degrees from the Indiana University School of Music and Cornell University, where he was named a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Recently, he participated in the Oregon Bach Festival conducting master class where he studied with Helmuth Rilling and other distinguished musicians. He is a pianist as well as conductor. His first book, Songs from the Hill – A History of the Cornell University Glee Club was published in 1998 and he is currently at work on a Leonard Bernstein project.
The Oratorio Society of Virginia, founded in 1968, is affiliated with the McIntire Department of Music at the University of Virginia and is a member of the Piedmont Council for the Arts, Chorus America, and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Concerts are supported by the singers, audiences, and by generous donations from both businesses and individuals. For more information about the Oratorio Society, how to join the chorus, its programs or how to help support it please visit www.oratoriosociety.org.