The South Lyon High School "Lyon Singers" and Howell High School's "A cappella Choir" will have an opportunity to work with one of today's pre-eminent choral conductors. Maestro Salamunovich will discuss his illustrious career as a choral conductor and music director of numerous film and television productions. He will also conduct a rehearsal, offering insights into style and interpretation. The workshop is being held in room 2402 of the Old Main Building, located on Wayne's campus at 4841 Cass Avenue in Detroit.
Marked by the highest achievements in professional, educational and liturgical music, Paul Salamunovich's career has spanned some sixty-seven years. Considered an American Choral Treasure, he has directed numerous choirs and been responsible for choral music in more than a hundred films and television productions.
Most recently, Paul led the St. Petersburg Philharmonic of Russia and the Master Chorale of the United States in the Mozart Requiem at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome during the International Festival of Sacred Music and Art. In 2001 he was named Music Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, concluding a ten-year term as Director.
Salamunovich has been Director of Music at St. Charles Borromeo in North Hollywood since 1949. Under his direction, the choir has been recognized as one of the leading American church choirs. The St. Charles Choir is the only American choir ever to be invited to sing at the Mass for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Square in Rome. Paul also led the choir in a performance for the Pope to a private audience in Clementine Hall of the Vatican Palace.
During Maestro Salamunovich's tenure, the LA Master Chorale recorded three CDs, one being Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, which was composed for and dedicated to Paul. This recording received a Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance and still remains a top-seller.
Film and television credits include productions for Columbia, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and Disney studios. Paul's choral work has been featured in First Knight, Air Force One, A.I., Sum of All Fears, XXX and Peter Pan.
Wayne State University Department of Music is celebrating 86 years of artistic and academic excellence. The Department's faculty includes renowned jazz artists, composers, scholars, educators and members of the internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra. WSU alumni have gone on to careers in distinguished orchestras, ensembles and as soloists and music educators the world over.