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SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA :: JUNE 20-24, 2017 PURA VIDA COSTA RICA! Dr. Cristian Grases Conductor of the Thornton Concert Choir University of Southern California ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA :: JUNE 20-24, 2017
PURA VIDA COSTA RICA!
Dr. Cristian GrasesConductor of the Thornton Concert ChoirUniversity of Southern California
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
THE SETTING
THE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE Pura Vida Costa Rica, a one of a kind festival experience has been designed with three essential ideas in mind, Service, Singing and International Friendship. Combining exchange concerts with local choirs, an opportunity for community service and culminating in a festival of international song led by esteemed conductor, Dr. Cristian Grases, this festival is sure to excite the hearts and minds of all choirs that participate. Additionally, individual performance opportunities are available while in San Jose as well as during the optional pre or post festival touring programs to Arenal or Jaco. Pura Vida Costa Rica will build bridges and transform lives through the power of music.
COSTA RICA
THE ORGANIZERS :: Perform International
“Building Bridges and Transforming Lives through the Power of Music”Boldly informed by the belief that music inherently speaks as an expression of the human spirit beyond borders and in all cultures, Perform International seeks to empower music directors and ensembles to realize meaningful and life-changing immersion experiences and performances around the world.• We empower music directors, music ensembles and individual musicians to share and grow in their artistic
expression and understanding of people and cultures. • We design and create rewarding performances as well as educational and cultural immersion opportunities
by building and maintaining relationships with domestic and international musicians and music education organizations.
• We partner with concert venues, publicity teams, airlines, hotels, and tour guides to plan and implement operational methods that enhance rather than distract from the artistic experience.
• We provide meaningful and life-changing performance tour experiences that are personal, thoughtful, and efficient in the processes of conceptual artistic and educational development.
Costa Rica is rich in so many ways, in its history, in its cultural offerings and as a leader in ecology and ecological tourism. Many of Costa Rica’s music traditions date back to colonial times when the Spanish brought European rhythms to the country’s shores. Over time Spanish beats harmonized with indigenous tempi to create folkloric music unique to Costa Rica. The country boasts many outstanding choral ensembles including the national symphony chorus, many children’s choirs, as well as very good school, university, and community choirs. Through Costa Rica’s attention to the environment and its development of internationally-recognized ecological science, thousands upon thousands of tourists flock to Costa Rica to enjoy its natural resources, its beaches, its rain forests, its rivers and mountains.
FACULTY
DR. CRISTIAN GRASES :: Artistic Director
Cristian Grases joined the USC Thornton faculty in the Fall 2010 semester as assistant professor of choral music and conductor of the USC Thornton Concert Choir. Born in Venezuela, he earned degrees from the Simón Bolívar University (MM) in Caracas, Venezuela, and the University of Miami (DMA). He has previously served as interim director of choral activities at Central Washington University; assistant professor in choral music at California State University, Los Angeles; and national coordinator of choirs for EL SISTEMA under Maestro José Antonio Abreu. He also served as conductor for the Women’s Chamber Ensemble of the University of Miami, was the assistant conductor of the Miami Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Eduardo Marturet, and the conductor of the Young Musician’s Orchestra. Additionally, he is an award winning conductor and composer, and has been commissioned to write for several prestigious organizations such as the Piedmont Children’s Chorus and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. Numerous ensembles including the Los Angeles Master Chorale have performed his works.Dr. Grases has participated in numerous festivals, workshops, and events as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and conducting pedagogue in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. He has also presented sessions in the World Choral Symposia in Denmark, Argentina, and South Korea. Additionally he has presented at several ACDA regional and national conventions and conducted the National Latin American Honor Choir at the Salt Lake City national convention. Dr. Grases was elected into the Board of Directors of the International Federation for Choral Music in 2008 and remains active in this position, and was recently appointed as one of the vice presidents for the World Youth and Children Choral Artists Association based in Hong Kong. In addition, Grases is currently chair of the Ethnic and Multicultural Repertoire and Standards Committee for the Western Division of the American Choral Directors Association, he is part of the editorial board of the International Choral Bulletin, has been the editor of the Children’s and Youth Column for the bulletin since 2005, and is the Artistic Director for the Esperanza Azteca Los Angeles Orchestra. Most recently, Dr. Grases has started a new Choral Series entitled “The Choral Music of Latin America and the Caribbean” published by Gentry Publications as an editorial outlet for new Latin American choral repertoire.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM OPTIONS
PURA VIDA FESTIVAL PROGRAM JUNE 20-24, 2017June 20: You will arrive to the beauty of Costa Rica, and be greeted by your festival hosts at the Juan Santamaria International Airport. Your short drive to the hotel will be followed by check-in. Enjoy a festive welcome dinner with the other participating choirs.June 21: San José is the capital of Costa Rica and is known for its architecture, parks, museums, and high energy. Enjoy a city tour including sights such as the National Theatre of Costa Rica (subject to their schedule), one of the national treasures of Costa Rican culture. This afternoon you’ll have your first rehearsal with Dr. Grases where you’ll be joined by a popular local choir. They will perform a brief concert for you and there will be plenty of social time to get to know your new Costa Rican friends. This evening your choir will have a gala concert at a local church. June 22: This morning will be an opportunity to visit a contrasting neighborhood of San José and spend some time giving back in a community service project and outreach concert. Following lunch you will participate in your second festival rehearsal. If you didn’t have a Gala concert yesterday today will be your Gala Concert. Dinner and overnight in San José.June 23: You’ll have some free time this morning for sightseeing on your own. You may want to take an excursion to Pueblo Antiguo, a replica town that recreates Costa Rican landmarks from the 1800 and 1900’s. This afternoon, all choirs will reconvene for a final rehearsal with Dr. Grases. Following dinner, you’ll transfer to the concert venue for the concluding festival concert. June 24: Today you will either return home, or extend and take in some time at the beach or the beautiful town of Arneal. If you are going home you will take great memories with you of treasured experiences and new friends. Buen viaje and Hasta pronto!!
POST FESTIVAL TOUR PROGRAMSTOUR B - June 24 - 26, 2017 - Extension to ArenalDeparting San José, this tour will take you to the majestic volcano of Arneal. Stopping at Sarchi Park (an artisan’s town) on the way, you’ll visit the largest oxcart in the world. At your hotel you will enjoy the thermal waters from the natural springs, heated deep in the earth by volcanos. Among the adventure filled options to choose from on this extension you can enjoy zip lining or a hanging bridges tour. There will also be an opportunity for a concert at a local school in the area.TOUR C - June 24 - 26, 2017 - Extension to JacoToday we will drive to the beach town of Jaco where you’ll stay at an all -inclusive resort for 2 nights. This extension includes time visiting the area of Quepos where you’ll have the opportunity to perform for a local school, and time at The Manuel Antonio National Park, considered by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s 12 most beautiful national parks. The white beaches and lush flora/fauna create a majestic environment in which to relax and enjoy the beach.
ATLANTA l 2344 Perimeter Park Drive Atlanta, GA 30341 phone 770.220.2242COLORADO SPRINGS l 8825 Liverpool Lane Colorado Springs, CO 80920 phone 719.481.0107 fax 719.531.5374
HONOLULU l 50 S. Beretania Street, Suite C-211 B Honolulu, HI 96813 phone 808.479.3414www.perform-international.com l www.reformation-music.com l [email protected]
