CRITICAL COMMENTARY

“Your choir is amazing. The sound in all voices is even, rich, and vocally outstanding. It is compact and full of contrasting colors. I was overwhelmed by the great intonation, precise rhythm, beautiful work with dynamics, incredible stylistic interpretation of compositions from all style periods and genres. The texts are clearly articulated in many languages. The singers sing sincerely and truthfully, and you hear not only the notes but the singers‘ souls.“

Prof. Jiří Kolář, renowned Czech conductor, faculty member at the Charles University Faculty of Education, chairman of the Union of Czech Choirs General Committee and chairman of the Choral Conductors Association

“… a concert of extraordinary quality, flawless dimensions, astounding vocal technique, clarity and wholeness. The highs and lows marked the height of perfection. The choir was in perfect harmony with the conductor, Scott Ferguson. The musical interpretation was done all by memory; there was a high level of connection between the director and all members of the choir. This was, without a doubt, the best choral performance in Vinaròs in the past ten years.“

Critic for the journal 7 Dies Actualitat de Vinaròs, Vinaròs, Spain

“We have hosted many choirs in our reverberant sanctuary. None have been as excellent as the IWU Collegiate Choir.  The audience was captivated by the breath-taking beauty and skill of the voices, the superb repertoire and the awesome musicality.”

Sue Mitchell-Wallace, Director of Music, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA

“Throughout the entire concert, the choir showed an extremely high vocal level and the sense of excellence in relation to complicated scores. Above all, a very high level of professionalism of the conductor could be recognized. Due to his talent in making and interpreting music, very complicated songs were turned into very expressive musical pictures with a variety of colors and images. The IWU Collegiate Choir was outstanding, with clear intonation, beautiful and sound harmony, multifarious strokes and a broad dynamic scale.”

Heli Jürgenson, conductor, Estonian Choral Society, chorus master of the Estonian National Opera  

“I just wanted to relate in writing how I felt about your Illinois Wesleyan choir's ACDA performance. To me it was hands-down the performance highlight of the entire convention, and I can be a picky listener. Your program was both beautiful AND daring — not a combination that usually happens. While, of course, the Tormis was the "grab the audience by the throat" piece, everything else on the program was also stellar. There were wonderfully expressive lines ALWAYS tied to the text, and great tonal colors, thank you!“ 

Paul Carey, composer

“Your chorus sounded better than either of the two commercial recordings of these works. Thank you for your dedication and artistry.”

John Corigliano, composer

“The Italian audience was enthusiastic thanks to your great ability in communicating warmth and power.”

Pier Paolo Scattolin, conductor, Società Corale Euridice

“Last night I had the supreme pleasure of hearing Scott Ferguson and the Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir in Syracuse. Lovely, lovely concert. Full, clear voices full of joy in ensemble singing. Go where they are and listen and revel in outstanding choral singing.”

Stephen A. Stomps, Director of Choirs, Auburn High School, New York

“I was really knocked out by your choir. I was especially caught by your ability to pull completely different "choral sounds" for different repertoire. If I tried that on the organ, I would need about four instruments with different actions and temperaments in the same room.”

Peter Kurdziel, Organist, Former Director of Music, Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, IL

“I was thrilled to hear stirring performances of difficult literature. The ‘Ferguson sound’ was clearly evident: a keen appreciation of balance, a remarkable variety of vocal color, an impressive range of dynamic contrast, and a clarity of texture.”

Dr. William P. Dougherty, Chair, Department of Music, Drake University, Des Moines, IA

“The Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir, under the direction of Scott Ferguson, exemplifies what I feel is the best of the best in choral singing. The Collegiate Choir sings with impeccable intonation, with precise articulation and superb musicianship. What I most admire about Scott Ferguson and his choirs is the artistic creativity and deep sensitivity that is brought to each performance.”

Ron Kiesewetter, former director of Choirs, Lyons Township High School, LaGrange, IL