Purdue News

February 16, 2001 Renaissance vocal music group to perform at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Clerks’ Group, a Renaissance vocal ensemble, will perform at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, in Loeb Playhouse. Admission is $22 for general public, and $15 for Purdue students. Tickets can be purchased at Purdue box offices or charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. The Clerks’ Group is presented by Purdue Convocations. The Clerks’ Group is a vocal ensemble of eight members whose recordings and performances of Renaissance music have earned it a place among the foremost interpreters of early music. The ensemble recently expanded its repertoire to include contemporary works. The group was founded at Oxford University, made its professional London debut in 1992 and has received widespread praise for its interpretations of Renaissance music, much of which was previously neglected. The group specializes in Franco-Flemish sacred music and recently completed a series of recordings for ASV Records covering the entire sacred output of Johannes Ockeghem, a late 15th century composer. These recordings earned the ensemble Gramophone magazine's "Early Music Artist of the Year" award in 1997. In the past two years The Clerks’ Group has given concerts in Germany, Spain, Belgium, Holland, France, Iceland and the United States. The ensemble has broadcast in many European countries and was featured in a program for Belgian television. Last year The Clerks’ Group made its Queen Elizabeth Hall debut and also made an extensive first tour of the United States including concerts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Cleveland, New York, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. This year the group premiered three commissioned works and moved in a new direction, which included collaborations with young composers and pop musicians. The group's founder and director is Edward Wickham. Wickham combines his practical experience of conducting and singing with his scholarly interests. He has a master's degree in medieval studies and a Ph.D. in 15th century music from King's College in London. He also directs the Renaissance Singers of London. The Loeb Playhouse program will feature music and readings tied to the theme, "The Rose and the Pomegranate: The Marriage of Mary Tudor and Philip II." CONTACT: Larry Sommers, Purdue Convocations, (765) 494-5045, lsommers@purdue.edu. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A publication-quality photograph of The Clerks’ Group is available on the ftp site. Photo ID: Clerks.jpeg To the Purdue News and Photos Page