The Phil Mattson Singers, a choral jazz ensemble, will make its Artists Quarter debut on Thursday, May 10th at 8 pm. The Phil Mattson Singers is a six-voice vocal ensemble based in Minneapolis and directed by acclaimed vocal educator/arranger/pianist Phil Mattson. The singers include Paula Lammers, Linnea Brashears, Sheridan Zuther, Mark Hoffman, Bill White, and Howard Hilde.
A two-time Grammy nominee, Phil Mattson is a pianist, arranger, conductor, and teacher. He earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy/Religion and Music at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and continued graduate studies in Choral Literature and Conducting at the University of Iowa. Phil’s work led to establishment of The School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, where he taught for 18 years. Over his career, Phil has served as Director of Choral Activities at Foothill College (CA) and Gonzaga University (WA); he also taught at Pacific Lutheran University (WA) and at The Phil Mattson School (WA).
Phil’s resume as an arranger includes commissions for Manhattan Transfer, Chanticleer, The Real Group, The Dale Warland Singers, The Four Freshmen, Clockwork, Beachfront, Solstice, Phoenix, and Clarion Chamber Chorale. As an accompanist, Phil has worked with Mark Murphy, Bobby McFerrin, Sunny Wilkinson, Barbara Morrison, Maud Hixson, Richie Cole, Ernestine Anderson, Carmen Lundy, and more. He has led the vocal jazz groups pm singers, VoicesIowa, and Vocalogy, and served as Vocal Jazz Director for The Stan Kenton Clinics; he annually conducts the Carnegie Hall Vocal Jazz Festival and leads the Phil Mattson Vocal Jazz/Choral Workshops on campuses throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Paula Lammers is well known to area audiences from her work with the Zephyr Cabaret, Minnesota Opera, and her group Cloud Nine. She recieved her MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and is an adjunct professor at Concordia University, teaching studio vocal jazz. Her recordings include A Blanket Of Blue (2005) and Deep Purple Dreams (2011).
Linnea Brashears studied Vocal Performance at Concordia University, St Paul. A banker by day, she moonlights as a painter and musician, sings in the Gar Lockrem Community Choir and freelances on violin and viola.
Sheridan Zuther received her BM in Vocal Performance/Opera from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. For six years she toured with the vocal quintet Five By Design and is a founding member of the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network. A frequent musical theater performer in the Twin Cities, Sheridan also teaches summer sessions in vocal jazz and musical theater at the International Music Camp at the Peace Gardens.
Mark Hoffman studied music at the University of Northern Colorado and Iowa State University. He’s performed and record with regional groups including Essentially Jazz, a six-voice ensemble inspired by Phil Mattson. Mark owns a marketing production agency.
Bill White studied voice with Dr. Roy Schuessler at the University of Minnesota where he earned degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting; he also earned a BA in French from the College of St Thomas. After teaching high school choral music for many years, Bill currently is an Adjunct Professor of Music at Concordia University, where he directs the vocal jazz group VOX9.
Howard Hilde earned a Vocal performance degree from Pacific Lutheran University in his native Washington state. He was a member of the PLU Chorale, Choir of the West, and Park Avenue. In 1990, Howard moved to the Twin Cities to join VoiceTrek. A Systems Liaison, he also directs the choir at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in St Paul.
The Artists Quarter is located in the lower level of the Hamm Building at 408 St Peter Street in downtown St Paul. Show time at 8 pm, cover $10; www.artistsquarter.com. More on Phil Mattson at www.philmattson.com
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
