St. Charles Singers & Jeff Hunt
Biographie St. Charles Singers & Jeff Hunt
St. Charles Singers
Founded and directed by Jeffrey Hunt, the St. Charles Singers is a chamber choir dedicated to choral music in all its forms. Hailed by American Record Guide as “a national treasure,” the mixed-voice ensemble includes professional singers, choral directors, and voice instructors, some of whom perform with other top-tier Chicago choirs. Classics Today has called the ensemble “one of North America’s outstanding choirs,” citing “charisma and top-notch musicianship” that “bring character and excitement to each piece.” Choral Journal proclaimed, “They sing with versatile musicality, vibrant tone, and impeccable diction.” England’s Choir and Organ declared, “With a well-balanced and beautifully blended choral sound, the St. Charles Singers are totally committed to what they perform.” Among the St. Charles Singers’ prominent guest conductors have been renowned English composer Sir John Rutter, founder of the Cambridge Singers; Philip Moore, composer and former music director at England’s York Minster cathedral; and Grammy Award-winning American choir director Craig Hella Johnson. The choir launched in St. Charles, Illinois, in 1984 as the Mostly Madrigal Singers.
The St. Charles Singers’ newest album, “Dancing Tree: Choral Landscapes,” will be released August 21 on Navona Records. It features Rutter’s “Dancing Tree,” written for the St. Charles Singers and heard in its world-premiere performance.
Jeffrey Hunt
received music degrees from Taylor University and Northwestern University. In 1984 he founded and became director of the St Charles Singers. In 1985 he was appointed Director of Music at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St Charles, Illinois. Baker Memorial is also the church where he received much of his childhood music education. In addition he is currently Adjunct Instructor at Elgin Community College in the music department. In addition to conducting and teaching, he has an active voice studio. Under his direction, the St Charles Singers have made several recordings, and are active in the choral music scene in the Chicago area with several yearly subscription concerts and tours.
