Best Grammy-Winning Group You May Have Never Heard (or Heard Of)

Read about it here or pick up a copy of this week’s New Times and turn to page 260, in the Nightlife section.

"Rebirth" by Holly Sheppard

Also in this week’s New Times issue is artwork by our own Holly Sheppard.  Titled “Rebirth,” you can find it on page 235. Holly’s “Rebirth” was inspired in part by Ola Gjeilo’s piece “Phoenix” (which we premiered last season).  Ola Gjeilo is the Phoenix Chorale’s composer-in-residence this season.

You can see “Rebirth” in person at the New Times’ Wonderland exhibit opening at the [merz]project (1437 N. 1st Street, Phoenix) on October 2 or any time during October.  The Wonderland exhibit will showcase all of the art created for this special annual edition of the New Times by artists from all over the Valley.  The [merz]project is next door to the Burton Barr Central Library.

AND on October 16, we’ll perform for FREE at the [merz]project.  A special evening reception on October 16 features a performance by the Phoenix Chorale.  Details here.

Phoenix Chorale alto Holly Sheppard

A native of New Mexico, Holly Sheppard moved to Phoenix in 2003 to attend the University of Advancing Technology.  She works full time as an environment artist at Rainbow Studios, a local video game design company. She’s been singing with the Chorale since 2006.

Phoenix Chorale's 50th Anniversary Gala

Remembering the night of the Phoenix Chorale’s 50th Anniversary Gala, makes me think how wonderful it was to be a part of their history and creating my own memorable experience.

Jen and I arrived at the newly renovated Memorial Hall (inside Steele Indian School Park) and quickly set up our table where guests would check in. I peeked inside the hall and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. As guests started to arrive, I was very impressed by the turnout and luckily met some of them, which was exciting for me because I always look forward to meeting new and exciting people—especially friends of the Chorale.

The Ted Belledin Quartet

After the guests checked in, it was time for cocktail hour, which was a lovely spread of hors d’oeuvres. The hot topic of the reception was how delicious the brie was (I bet that was the cheese I kept going back for). Everyone enjoyed a fine selection of beers from New Belgium Brewing Co., wine donated by Quail Distributors and jazzy tunes performed by the Ted Belledin Quartet. It was a romantic setting, with guests mingling and catching up with old friends.

The Phoenix Chorale

A scrumptious dinner by Seasons Gourmet Catering was laid out for everyone and during dinner, Sterling Beeaff, Music Director for KBAQ (which is the station I am listening to as I type this up) introduced Charles Bruffy and a performance by the Chorale. The Chorale performed…

Cassandra Ewer, Laura Inman, Stephanie Stickford, Sean Carter Campbell and Josh Hillmann

I especially enjoyed hearing “Chili Con Carne,” by a quintet of Chorale singers Cassandra, Josh, Laura, Sean, and Stephanie. They dazzled the audience and it was a perfect transition for the awards portion of the night. Claudia Kennedy, the 50th Anniversary Gala Chair, oversaw the presentation of awards.

The Philanthropy Award was presented to Mr. & Mrs. John Ford and Mr. & Mrs. Paul Perez for their support of the Phoenix Chorale over the years.

Mr. & Mrs. John Ford

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Perez with Charles Bruffy

The Chorale Masters Award was presented to former Phoenix Chorale conductor, Dan Durand and to the founder of the Phoenix Boys Choir, Dr. Harvey K. Smith.

Former Phoenix Chorale conductor Dan Durand

Charles Bruffy, Dr. Harvey K. Smith and Claudia Kennedy

Additional awards included:

The Founders Award was presented to Millicent Wesley, the Phoenix Chorale's first conductor in 1958.

A special surprise Alumni Award was presented to Beth Livingston-Hakes, a former Phoenix Chorale singer who sang with the Chorale for over 30 years.

Phoenix City Councilman Claude Mattox

The awards concluded with Councilman Claude Mattox presenting the City of Phoenix’s award to the Phoenix Chorale as a “Friend of Phoenix.”

The evening’s raffle consisted of a variety of prizes including a sculpture by Barbara Andress. For the silent auction, and on display in the hall was one of two sculptures donated by the Herberger Foundation, by artist

"Earth and Space" by John Henry Waddell

John Henry Waddell, known for his bronze sculptures in motion. Now, I am a sucker for fine art, so I when I saw the sculpture displayed in the hall, it was nice to know there was a variety of the arts featured at the event—both visual and performing.

The evening came to a close with a special piano performance by the Chorale’s Josh Hillmann who performed Capriccio No. 1 from Brahms’ 7 Fantasies Op. 11 along with more cabaret-style singing by members of the Chorale.

All in all, the evening came together beautifully. And as everyone was enjoying the last moments of the event, it appeared to make a lasting impression on the guests, honorees, friends and newcomers to the Phoenix Chorale. Cheers to the next 50 years!

Claudia and Alan Kennedy with family and friends

–Erika Eve Gonzalez, Public Relations Intern

See more photos from the Phoenix Chorale’s 50th Anniversary Gala here.

*All photos by Ryan Delgado.

2008 Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance

With singers, board members, staff, friends and family all gathered around, we opened the box last night.

See more photos of the reveal here.

I asked Ryan how he felt about the headline in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and he laughed saying, “Family and friends sent it to me, the response was incredible. It’s something that I mentioned in that paper’s interview and there is some truth in it.”

To give you a better idea of Ryan, he attended the University of Wyoming studying violin and he received a degree in music education in 2001. Soon after he moved to Denver where he taught orchestra and choir at a middle school for three years.

Ryan moved to Phoenix to obtain a master’s degree in music education at Arizona State University and joined the Phoenix Chorale in March 2005. He learned of the Chorale through his roommate, Phoenix Chorale tenor Erik Gustafson. “I found out through Erik, and other people in the choir, including Laura Inman,” says Ryan. “They needed a substitute baritone at a concert five years ago. I guess I was in the right place at the right time!”

Recently, Ryan traveled to Los Angeles with other members of the Chorale to the 51st Grammy Awards where they were up for four Grammy nominations. The Phoenix Chorale won the Grammy for “Best Small Ensemble Performance,” recognizing the choir’s fantastic performance ability.

Today, Ryan is an instructor at Arizona State University and has held this position for four and a half years, conducting and assisting the ASU Choral Ensembles and is the Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. Outside of being musically inclined, Ryan enjoys the outdoors including running, lifting, camping, fishing, traveling to Colorado, Wyoming, and being with good friends at Four Peaks and Old Chicago in Tempe.

For now, Ryan hopes to complete his DMA this year where he plans, as he says “…to be the next Charles Bruffy and never step into a school again—unless it’s to make some money!” Ryan says he enjoys his time with the Phoenix Chorale and all the good times with his colleagues and friends that this musical group provides.

It has been awe-inspiring for me to write about one of the Phoenix Chorale’s singers and learn more about who he is, his dreams and his future plans. The “music nerd” and Grammy Award-winning singer Ryan Garrison, has certainly established his heart in music sharing it with his students, colleagues and friends.

You can meet Ryan at our free First Friday Rehearsal Friday, March 6 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Roosevelt Row. Details here.

-Erika Eve Gonzalez, Public Relations Intern