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The American soprano, Dawn Holt Lauber, studied at Greenwich High School (1983-1986). She graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature (1986-1990); and received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut.
Dawn Holt Lauber was soloist and chorister at Riverside Church in New York City (August 1995-June 2000); vocalist with the Chicago jazz ensemble (2000-2003); soprano soloist with the DuPage Chorale and Orchestra at MAC Theatre at College of DuPage (October 2005-2011); soprano soloist and chorister at Church of the Ascension in Chicago, Illnois (since March 2010); soloist (singer of sacred song, classical & jazz, worship leader) with the Churchjazz Ensemble, 7 piece jazz band, led by Andy Tecson (since December 2002).
Dawn Holt Lauber was hailed as “exquisite” by Howard Reich of The Chicago Tribune for the world premiere performance of William Russo’s Jubilatem with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble (CJE). This Pulitzer-nominated piece for classical soprano, solo trumpet (premiered by Orbert Davis), choir, and jazz orchestra, combines Gregorian chant and jazz. She also performed with the CJE in Russo’s Chicago Suite 2 and Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts. She first performed Ellington’s Sacred Concerts at The Riverside Church of New York City, which ignited an interest in jazz, both secular and what has come to be known as sacred jazz, or even church jazz. She performs regularly with the Chicago band, Churchjazz. Their collaborations include worship services, concerts, tours, recordings, premiere of The Jazz Passion, and numerous benefits for World Vision, World Bicycle Relief, Jimmy Carter Foundation, and the Student Global AIDS Campaign, among others.
At Wheaton College, Dawn Holt Lauber was soloist in Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah, with John Nelson conducting. She also gave a recital with pianist Dr. William Phemister, violinist Dr. Lee Joiner, and theologian Dr. David Lauber, celebrating the 250th birthday of W.A. Mozart's in Mozart and the Pursuit of Joy and Beauty. With the The Riverside Church of New York City, Lauber performed J.S. Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243), W.A. Mozart's C Minor Mass, Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, Ellington’s Sacred Concerts, and Zoltán Kodály's Missa Brevis featuring the Jose Limon Dance Troupe, among other classical sacred works. Other solo appearances include: Midwest premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Abyssinian 200.
Highlights of 2008-2009 include a concert of Baroque and 20th Century recorder music with John Langfeld at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, and a benefit concert with the Chicago Sacred Jazz Band for HIV/AIDS in collaboration with World Vision. In 2007, Dawn Holt Lauber had solo appearances at the Chicago Humanities Festival in Noyes Fludde, with the DuPage Chorale in F. Mendelssohn's Lobegesang and L.v. Beethoven's Choral Fantasy (Op. 80), in Bending Towards the Light, a jazz nativity, and in concert at Wheaton College in collaboration with the Student Global AIDS Campaign.
Dawn Holt Lauber's recent recording, “Everlasting” (spirituals & hymns with jazz band) is featured on the jazz playlist of Sounds of Gospel Network radio. Her project with Albany Records, “Something Borrowed, Something Blue,” is a collection of traditional and contemporary wedding music. “Heavenly” features American jazz standards. “Lonesome Road,” a recording of her own sacred jazz tunes was due out in April 2014.
Her poetry has appeared in various anthologies and in The Christian Century magazine. Dawn Holt Lauber served as Director of Worship Arts and choir director at the Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church in Illinois (August 2007- May 2011). |
