Andrew Gilpin's major choral work for soprano soloist, SATB choir and piano, Gloria, will be performed this coming December by the Napa Valley Chorale, under conductor Jan Lanterman, Director of Music at Napa's First United Methodist Church and Executive Secretary of the American Choral Directors Association.

Since its organization in January, 1963, the Napa Valley Chorale has performed a wide variety of choral music ranging from standard classics to contemporary works. The Napa Valley Chorale is eager to meet new musical challenges and expand its musical horizons, and they have chosen Gloria as part of that mission. As Andrew wrote, "Gloria is my setting of a portion of the traditional Christian mass. With the use of appealing melodies and contemporary rhythms, I attempted to bring a fresh approach to age-old words."

Gloria has been performed previously by various choirs in Canada and the United States.

Robert Baird of BAM! Baird Artists Management, agent for Ebony & Ivory, will be attending the American Symphony Orchestra League Conference in Nashville, TN from June 18-20, where he will introduce Such Sweet Thunder: Joplin, Benny Goodman and the Boys, the new Symphony Program for the Duo. The Conference theme this year is "Every City, Music City," and Ebony & Ivory is hoping to bring this rhythmic, exciting program to orchestras across North America and abroad. Such Sweet Thunder: Joplin, Benny Goodman and the Boys features the Duo taking the audience on a musical journey from Ragtime, through Swing and ending with tuneful modern jazz classics. The program features the Duo performing with full orchestral accompaniment and as a quartet with the addition of bass and drums.

Ebony & Ivory is pleased to announce that it will be returning to the Georgia Southwestern State University Chamber Concert Series in Americus, Georgia (near the home of former President Jimmy Carter) on Monday, October 22, 2007.

Thanks to Julie Megginson, Chair of the Fine Arts Department, for making this a tradition! Fred and Andrew are looking forward to visiting Americus once again.