Contemporary Music Performance: Seraphic Fire

One of the Department of Music's most distinguished alums, Patrick Quigley, is the founder of the world-renowned choir Seraphic Fire. Quigley and Seraphic Fire will be in residence at Notre Dame the first week back after winter break, from Monday to Wednesday, January 17–19, 2011. Throughout this time there will be workshops and open rehearsals, culminating in a program of contemporary music in the Basilica. For more information on Seraphic Fire, see below or email Janet Rudasics at Janet.L.Rudasics.1@nd.edu. Sponsored by the Master of Sacred Music degree program

Founded in 2002 by artistic director Patrick Dupré Quigley, Seraphic Fire has garnered critical acclaim locally and nationally. Lauded by the _Miami Herald_ as “one of the best choirs anywhere,” Seraphic Fire has gained a reputation for dynamic, cutting-edge performances. In an exciting crossover collaboration in 2004, Seraphic Fire was invited to record with international pop star Shakira on a track for her album _Oral Fixation II_, which ultimately went platinum on the _Billboard_ Pop Charts. Seraphic Fire’s programming is broad, including classical and contemporary, sacred and secular choral works. This programming has won the organization awards and earned wide-ranging praise. Over the past seven seasons, the organization has commissioned and premiered works by up-and-coming young composers. In 2005, Seraphic Fire commissioned _The Road From Hiroshima: A Requiem_, a 50-minute work from 28-year-old composer Shawn Crouch. It was subsequently nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In recent years, Seraphic Fire has made significant organizational and artistic strides. Recent seasons have experienced record-breaking ticket sales with many sold-out performances. In 2007, Seraphic Fire was awarded a Knight Foundation grant for the formation of the Firebird Chamber Orchestra, which debuted in 2008. Seraphic Fire currently performs full seasons at several South Florida venues in Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, and Fort Lauderdale. In 2007, the ensemble began touring nationally. Seraphic Fire has eight CDs in circulation, including the critically acclaimed _Monteverdi Vespers of the Blessed Virgin 1610_.