Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council Member Letitia James to Announce the Formation of the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir, Co-Founded by Frank A. Haye at Brooklyn's Borough Hall on Thursday, June 10
City Wide Auditions to be held on Thursday, June 10 and Saturday, June 12
(Brooklyn, NY - May 10, 2010) Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council Member Letitia James will announce the formation of the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir, co-founded by Francisco (Frank) A. Haye, Jr. at Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street (between Court and Adam Streets), Brooklyn, New York on Thursday, June 10 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Auditions to join the choir will be held on both Thursday, June 10 and Saturday, June 12. Thursday auditions will be held at Borough Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday auditions will be held at Elim International Temple in the Tabernacle,from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., 20 Madison Avenue (between Classon and Franklin Avenues), Brooklyn, New York where Archbishop Eugene J. Blount is Senior Pastor.
The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir is an ensemble committed to bringing this city together through artistic expression. The ensemble will encourage members of this great city to appreciate, learn and celebrate the diverse cultures which make the City of New York great. "The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir is a group of performing ambassadors, that will spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ through song," said Frank A. Haye. "The choir will not only perform in the tri-state area, but throughout the United States and abroad. The ensemble will record and minister to different denominations, outdoor music festivals, concert halls and private functions. All members of the ensemble will receive world-class musical training and an opportunity to fellowship with musicians from diverse ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. Our motto is simple...One Great City, One Great Choir to the Glory of God."
With the support of many in the community, the event will be co-hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council Member Letitia James. "I am thrilled to join Council Member Letitia James and co-founder Frank Haye in 'singing the praises' of the new Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir. The choir's diverse voices will use artistic expression and 'perfect harmony' to add yet another verse and chorus to the 'beautiful music' of our city-Brooklynites and New Yorkers from all communities living side-by-side each and every day."
Central Brooklyn is known for its cultural arts institutions and initiatives, and the choir's home base will be located in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn, where Council Member Letitia James represents the 35th District. "I first witnessed Frank Haye's work as a choir director and musician during his tenure at Emmanuel Baptist Church, my home church in Brooklyn," said James. "Frank's incredible knowledge and love of gospel music, as well as his gifts as performer and mentor are the perfect combination for his next career venture to head up the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir. As Council Member my free time is limited, but my singing skills are above average and if I could carve out time, I would not hesitate to sing under the tutelage of Frank Haye."
Community residents throughout New York City and the tri-state area interested in joining the choir should come prepared to sing one of the following songs of their choice acapella for 30 seconds. The list of songs include "Amazing Grace," "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," "I Won't Complain," "We Are The World," "I Need You To Survive," "Speak To My Heart," "Even Me," "My Soul Is Anchored In The Lord," "Jesus Is Love, " "Center of My Joy," "Stand," and "Blessed Assurance." All participants will be notified of their involvement in the choir following the auditions. All musicians should come prepared to play a song of their choice and participate in a 15 minute interview. Musicians should bring their own instrument(s) to play with the exception of the piano. All interested participants must be at least 18 years old.
In September 2010, The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir will begin regular rehearsals twice a month for all choir members and musicians. Further information on start date, time and rehearsal location will be forwarded at a later date. For information on the auditions, please call 718-307-7808 or email at BICAuditions@aol.com.
Haye is an accomplished and inspiring musician, choral director, composer and producer. He discovered his passion and talent for music at a young age and has been performing since he was 12 years old. A vocalist and conductor, Haye also plays multiple instruments, including violin, flute, piano, organ, oboe, clarinet and trumpet. He served as the assistant director for the Boys Choir of Harlem from 1995 to 1998 and as the Pastor of the Sacred Arts Ministry for Emmanuel Baptist Church from 1998 to 2010. Under his direction Emmanuel's Total Praise Choir ministered around the country and as far away as South Africa. They performed at Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Summer Stage in Central Park, and Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park, among other venues. They have performed with artists such as Aretha Franklin at the NBC Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting (2009), Shirley Murdock, Carla Cook, Ken Hicks and several others.
Haye has also served as choir director for Butler Memorial United Methodist Church in the Bronx, New York, where he instituted a music conservatory to train singers and musicians. He started Revelation, a community gospel choir in the Bronx, and he continues to serve as conductor for the Symphony St. Paulia-a gathering of classical musicians of African decent. Haye has worked as producer, composer and arranger for CDs for Total Praise, the Boys Choir of Harlem and the Butler Church's Spirit -N Black Youth Choir.
Haye has served as an adjunct faculty member at Brooklyn College and a visiting professor of music at New York University and The University of the West Indies. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, and received a fellowship to pursue a master's degree in musicology and conducting. Haye served for more than two years as the director of the Brooklyn College Choir, and he also instituted, for the first time, a gospel choir at the school.
Currently, Haye is doing his residency at Elim International Temple as the guest choir director. He is also producing a new CD for Butler Church's Spirit -N Black Choir and consulting with churches and other organizations on music projects.
For further information about The Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir and/or auditions, please call 718-307-7808 or email BICAuditions@aol.com.