BULGARIA
“There are some choirs that one never forgets after hearing them even once. The Shorter College Chorale is this kind of choir. The entire audience, including my colleagues, my students, my singers, and I personally were delighted to hear this wonderful choir. The beautiful sounds, coupled with the rich palette of nuances and the large panorama of dynamics, made their performance an extraordinary musical experience for us. Dr. John Ratledge, an impressive conductor with the highest degree of musicality, demonstrated a keen sense of phrasing, a deep feeling for musical form, and an extensive knowledge of different musical styles. His artistic power was mirrored on the faces of the singers, and it was fantastic to feel that energy coming from the stage. I hope they will return to the Sofia Academy of Music.” –Theodora Pavlovitch, Conductor, Associate Professor, Academy of Music (Sofia, Bulgaria)
GREECE
“The collaboration between the Intrarti Orchestra and the outstanding Shorter Chorale was an artistic event of the highest standard. Perfectly prepared under Maestro Ratledge’s baton, the performance of Duruflé’s Requiem was a memorable one. Members of my orchestra described the Shorter Chorale’s performance as ‘inspired,’ and all of us were simply amazed with the Chorale’s a cappella singing. I look forward to Chorale’s return to Athens for future collaborations!” –Nikolaos Haliassas, Conductor, Intrarti Orchestra (Athens, Greece)
“You were diamonds in the desert. This choir is simply fantastic!” –Panigistis Tsziotis, Concertmaster, Intrarti Orchestra (Athens, Greece)
“Your choir is simply fantastic. Your music travels straight to God, creating an incredible spiritual moment. The constantly evolving panorama of color is unbelievable, and the music is truly a revelation to me.” –Alina Peretti (Stanmore, England)
HUNGARY
“The Shorter Chorale’s sold-out performance at the Vigadó Concert Hall was a wonderful event indeed, fully enjoyed by everyone. The choir was superb, and this is not an empty compliment. The Shorter Chorale is obviously one the very best choral ensembles from the United States that we have heard performing in Budapest. You must return to this historic concert hall.” –Laszlo Irinyi, Concert Masters International (Budapest, Hungary)
KOREA:
"Prior
to your concert in Dangjin tonight, I thought that the concert would be
like any other concert which I had heard before. However, your concert
was different, and I had to spend time thinking about why that
particular concert was different for me. After a lot of thought, I
realized that you see and hear something in each piece of music that I
can’t see or hear. The sound of every piece is different. I must learn
to hear what you hear!" –Park, Hern Ho, Music Arranger (Dangjin-Gun
Chorus–Dangjin, South Korea)
"Your hands are the voice of God. Your faith is evident in every gesture." –Lee, Ji Yeon (Alto, Dangjin-gun Chorus-Dangjin, South Korea)
"You are a magician, a wizard! What you have done with our choir–the sound is simply amazing. It's simply amazing." –Jeon, E Hwa (Soprano, Dangjin-gun Chorus)
"You stepped in front of the choir, and the change........it was unbelievable!" –Chief Officer Kang Dangjin Culture and Arts Center–Dangjin, South Korea)
"What a privilege to sing with such a great musician. Thank you, Maestro."
POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, GERMANY, AND AUSTRIA
“Both concerts were remarkable events in our cities. Shorter is an excellent and disciplined choir, with every piece, whether the Duruflé Requiem or folklore, showing a deep understanding of the music coupled with enthusiasm, artistry, and passion. The choir and orchestra were one ensemble, providing us a concert of impressive interpretation. The stirring standing ovations and numerous encores will be long remembered.” Jozef Wilkomirski, Conductor, Sudecka Philharmonia (Walbryzychu, Poland)
“A musical feast! This chorus has a profound knowledge of music, excellent interpretation, and a faultless, beautiful sound. From the lyric to the full rhythms of Africa, the audience was delighted. The Shorter Chorale, with its conductor, John Ratledge, gave Poland three hours of charm and beauty. Let us hope to have more events of this kind. The clapping shall never end!” —Alina Peretti (Stanmore, England)
“The Chorale pulled the cold out of unheated cathedrals and wrapped the warmth of beautifully blended sound around each of us. This group demonstrated a depth of feeling and an expanded artistic awareness that many do not achieve in a lifetime.” —Dr. Thelma Hall, Professor of English, Shorter College (Rome, Georgia)
“Their performances were described as ‘magical.’ Ratledge memorized introductory speeches in Czech, Polish, and German which impressed everyone from the start; however, the Chorale’s deeply emotional performances evoked strong responses in every city. One concert lasted three hours before the group was allowed to leave the stage. The conductor of the Walbrzychu Philharmonic was so impressed that he has invited the Chorale to tour Europe with his orchestra. Seven formal concerts—simply stunning!” Suzanne Robbins, ACFEA Tour Consultants (Tarrytown, New York)
RUSSIA
“An extraordinary concert, a tremendous success, and an inspiring display of artistry and professional skill.” Eugenia Sobol, The University of St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg, Russia)
“We have not witnessed such a success for many years in Glinka Cappella, one of the best concert halls of the world.” V. Scherbatov, Chief of the Department of Foreign Contacts (St. Petersburg, Russia)
“What professional skill, variety of tone and style!” Mayor (St. Petersburg, Russia)
“What a beautiful sound! A magnificent choir! They must come and sing with my orchestra, the second largest in the Ukraine.”—Alex Bielski, Agent of the Dniepropetrovsk Symphonic Orchestra (Ukraine)
“Judging by the warm reception, including five encores, our public loved them!” Information (St. Petersburg, Russia)
“The Shorter Chorale brought such great pleasure to our city! The Chorale feels subtle things and understands with their whole heart–one could hear it in the Rachmaninoff and the Chesnokov which were so wonderfully performed. You and your choir reveal a great respect for Russian culture and our music.” –Luba Petrovna, Musical Editor-in-Chief, Smolny Concert and Exhibition Centre (St. Petersburg, Russia)
FRANCE
“With standing room only, the final concert in the famous Madeleine church featured the Academie de St. Louis en L’Île de Paris which joined the Chorale for the Brahms Requiem. The reserved French audience responded uncharacteristically with thundering applause, a standing ovation, and repeated requests for encores.” –Suzanne Robbins, ACFEA Tour Consultants (Tarrytown, New York)
STATESIDE CONDUCTING REVIEWS:
“Weaving a tapestry of sonic splendor, John Ratledge and the extra-ordinary artistry of the Shorter Chorale creates a musical miracle in Spivey Hall, transcendent in achieving the promise of acoustical and staging magic.” –Sherryl Nelson, Executive Director, Spivey Hall, Clayton College and State University (Morrow, Georgia)
“The music world needs more conductors like John Ratledge who are making a difference in so many lives.” –Robert Page, Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
“He is a consummate teacher, giving himself with abandon to the goal of excellence in all he does, both within the classroom and the community where he works.” Dr. Larry McSwain, President Emeritus, Shorter College (Rome, Georgia)
“John's intuitive insights into the deeper meaning of the musical gesture illicit a profound response from the singers with whom he makes music. He is not merely a gifted conductor, but in fact an artist whose music speaks from the core of his being. His own personal diversity as a composer, conductor, educator, and artist speaks to the holistic philosophy by which he lives his own life. This renaissance approach to life manifests itself in inspired music making, challenging instruction, and the very highest expectations of greatness for himself and for his students.” Dr. Allen Hightower, Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies-Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Texas)
“John Ratledge is an enormously talented individual whose distinguished career as a teacher and conductor has impacted the lives of countless singers. He has won critical and public acclaim in a wide variety of venues, and his professional credentials are of the highest order, John's performances, prepared with the singular care and insight of a scholarly musician, are executed with distinction and passion. I have watched him work with countless all-state/honor choirs and transform them into first-rate ensembles that produced performances of life-changing experiences.” Dr. Alan Raines, Associate Professor of Music-Stetson University (Orlando, Florida)
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