THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407010111
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: MARK MOBLEY
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
THE FINEST CHOIR in Hampton Roads got a new name this week. Virginia Pro Musica will now be known the McCullough Chorale.
In some ways, it already was the McCullough Chorale, having been led for a decade by founder Donald J. McCullough. The identity of the chamber choir and the personality of its charismatic conductor were almost interchangeable to most local arts patrons.
The name was changed for two reasons, new board president Joesph C. Dimino explained. The moniker honors McCullough. And the old, Latin name made more sense when the group specialized in Renaissance and Baroque music. Now the programs are just as likely to include 20th century works.
Leader-named choruses are by no means rare - think of the Robert Shaw Chorale, the Gregg Smith Singers and the Hilliard Vocal Ensemble, not to mention the local I. Sherman Greene Chorale. And McCullough is among the local musicians with the brightest future. His potential as a choral conductor is hampered only by his lack of orchestral experience and technique.
But there is one important drawback to this name change, and that's a loss in local pride. When the Virginia Pro Musica went to England it took the name Virginia with them. Now the only name they'll take is one that's on the program already.
``Virginia'' was already a compromise of a sort. The original name of the group was Norfolk Pro Musica. Hampton Roads arts groups sidestep regional rivalries by naming themselves not for the cities where they're based but for the commonwealth (though Virginia Opera supporters will quickly point out the company performs in Fairfax and Richmond as well).
It's a shame that the Virginia Symphony's proud heritage as the Norfolk Symphony must be jettisoned because of fears that Virginia Beach and other cities might not support it. At least when the Norfolk Tides are on the road, opposing fans know exactly where the men in blue are from. OPERA NEWS
Virginia Opera artistic administrator and associate conductor Jerome Shannon has been promoted to the new position of assistant artistic director. Shannon will conduct next season's new production of ``La boheme,'' in addition to serving as artistic director of the apprentice program and interim chorus master.
Thea Musgrave, composer of Virginia Opera's forthcoming ``Simon Bolivar'' and Peter Mark's wife, is busy with a round of premieres at England's Cheltenham International Festival. Performances July 13-16 will include her new ``Autumn Sonata'' for bass clarinet and orchestra, ``Journey Through A Japanese Landscape'' for marimba and winds and ``On The Underground'' Set No. 1 for chorus. Her ``From One To Another'' for viola and tape, composed in 1970 for Mark, will be revived at the festival Wednesday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Donald J. McCullough has led Virginia Pro Musica - now the
McCullough Chorale - for a decade.
by CNB