WELCOME TO FLORIDA!
Michael Ekbladh
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Born in Dallas, Texas (1970), Michael E. Ekbladh has served numerous choirs in Texas, Illinois, Arkansas, and now Florida. He holds a Masters in Music-Conducting from Texas Christian University and has pursued a Masters in Sacred Music from Southern Methodist University. Michael was also director of choirs for Pulaski Technical College from 2011-2015.
In 2016, Michael formed The Palace Singers; a choir-in-residence for The Bishop's Palace in Galveston, Texas which continues to perform at special events for the Galveston Historical Foundtion. Currently, he has come to Florida to serve as Director of Music Ministries for First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, BJ’s “old stompin’ grounds”! Michael has served as conductor, clinician, and instructor for such organizations as the Texas Conference Choir Clinic, Southern Methodist University, Arkansas Children's Choir Festival, music conferences, and churches of all denominations. |
Michael has also worked with such composers, conductors, and text writers as Alice Parker, Jane Marshall, John Thornburg, Shirley Erena Murray, John Leavitt, Paul Leddington Wright, Constantina Tsolainou, and Dr. C. Michael Hawn.
Memberships and affiliations include Choristers Guild, American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts. Michael’s compositions are published through JW Pepper MyScore, CadenzaOne, Sheet Music Plus, The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, and Lorenz Publishing. To see the full catalog of original works, arrangements, and orchestrations visit: http://www.michaelekbladh.com |
What’s in a name?
Ekbladh is a surname chosen by one of my ancestors over 100 years ago. At that time a man named Christiansen, upon entering military service, was required and requested to change his last name. It was commonplace to be known as your father’s son – Ander’s son or Christian’s son – and it led to so many of the surnames we have today. I imagine this ancestor of mine standing in the enlistment line looking out a window thinking of a new name when he saw an oak tree, or “ektrad”, and thought of a family tree and each ancestor an oak leaf, or "ekblad," which lead to the Ekbladh name. |
CONGRATULATIONS, JEFF!
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Our Chapter President has recently been published in the June/July issue of the Choral Journal, an international publication of the American Choral Directors Association. It strives to elevate choral music in American society through scholarly articles, editorials, book reviews, and columns of practical advice and ideas for choral conductors. The 11 issues of Choral Journal published annually are circulated to 20,000 subscribers in 44 countries.
“La Madeleine’s Requiem: Faith in a Forgiving God” was written by Jeff Faux and Dr. David Rayl, Jeff’s former professor at Michigan State University. It is their second published collaboration. The article is based on Jeff’s written analysis of Faure’s Requiem, a piece he conducted in concert with the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and a professional orchestra at Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, March 2012 as part of the requirement for his Master’s Degree in choral |
conducting. Recognizing that Jeff’s unique theological and artistic insight would be of great value to other professionals, Dr. Rayl offered to co-write the article for the Choral Journal.
“At the article’s core is a review of the work considering the theological debates in France at the time it was written to see if any of Faure’s religious beliefs could be discerned from the music,” Jeff explained. “While the composer’s journey through religious thought and belief was a rocky one, it became clear through research that he was expressing a succinct point of view that I thought other conductors should try to understand.”
The final article not only references Faure’s music, but also artwork at Le Madeleine church in Paris where Faure served as organist and where Requiem was first performed.
“At the article’s core is a review of the work considering the theological debates in France at the time it was written to see if any of Faure’s religious beliefs could be discerned from the music,” Jeff explained. “While the composer’s journey through religious thought and belief was a rocky one, it became clear through research that he was expressing a succinct point of view that I thought other conductors should try to understand.”
The final article not only references Faure’s music, but also artwork at Le Madeleine church in Paris where Faure served as organist and where Requiem was first performed.
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“The conclusion is that Faure was expressing the idea that death does not represent something to fear, but rather a time when we are finally in union with God because of His grace,” Jeff said. “La Madeleine is named after Mary Magdalene. I argue that her story is alluded to in Faure’s Requiem and is an illustration of the work of grace.”
The occasion to share an early version of the article with a colleague enabled a connection that resulted in the opportunity to perform the work in La Madeleine. On June 12, 2019, Jeff will be conducting the Symphonique Bel'Arte of Paris and a collection of singers from across the United States in a full performance at La Madeleine. Several members of the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs Chancel Choir and the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers will be singing in that performance. |
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Beth Green
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accompanied and a cappella works and have performed several times in the nation's capital at the invitation of the Washington National Cathedral. Supported by patron donations, the Indialantic Chamber Singers present several annual concerts free of charge.
Beth Green shared some thoughts on her appointment to artistic director for the Brevard choral group which was founded in 1999. "I feel honored to lead such a wonderful ensemble that is known for sharing beautiful music with our community," said Ms. Green. "And I’m so pleased that our founding director is singing with our group and even leading sectional rehearsals.” Indialantic Chamber Singers president and bass, Tony Spadafora, is confident that Beth Green is the right person to lead the popular vocal group. "Beth has a very strong background in choral music and performance and is well respected in the Central Florida music community," said Spadafora. "But more than that, she knows precisely what she wants from our group and communicates with the utmost clarity to tremendous effect. Combined with her passion for the music and boundless energy, she is a director we feel tremendously proud to call our own." |
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As is true of most professional musicians, Beth uses her talents in several different arenas.
As a founding member of the Gulf Coast Girl Choir in Tampa, Beth credits most of her vocal training to excellent choral conductors. She regularly sings with Brevard Community Chorus, Riverside Chorale, and the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Beth also performs as one of The Three Sopranos, a group that performs regularly throughout Central Florida.
Beth is married to Matt Green, another talented singer, and they have a son, Matthew, who is three years old..
For more information about the Indialantic Chamber Singers, Beth Green or the group's concert schedule, call (321) 426-0360 or visit www.IndialanticChamberSingers.org
As a founding member of the Gulf Coast Girl Choir in Tampa, Beth credits most of her vocal training to excellent choral conductors. She regularly sings with Brevard Community Chorus, Riverside Chorale, and the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Beth also performs as one of The Three Sopranos, a group that performs regularly throughout Central Florida.
Beth is married to Matt Green, another talented singer, and they have a son, Matthew, who is three years old..
For more information about the Indialantic Chamber Singers, Beth Green or the group's concert schedule, call (321) 426-0360 or visit www.IndialanticChamberSingers.org
