Student Nominated for Grammy
February 10, 2011 - News Release
University of Guelph student Jordan Scholl could soon have a Grammy Award sitting on his bedroom shelf.
Scholl is a member of the Elora Festival Singers, a prestigious professional choir whose latest CD has been selected as a Grammy contender.
"It's pretty exciting,” said the fourth-year biomedical science student. “Not many people can say they have been nominated for a Grammy.”
Unfortunately, he said, neither he nor other choir members will have the chance to sit among celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Eminem at the music awards event.
“Only our conductor is going, but I will be hosting my own Grammy party with all my friends at home,” said Scholl, who is from Kitchener.
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards show will take place Feb. 13 in Los Angeles, with more than 500 nominees in 109 categories.
Scholl’s choral group was nominated for “best ensemble performance” for its recording of songs by composer Eric Whitacre.
Now a 22-year-old baritone, Scholl began singing professionally six years ago, both as a soloist and with several choirs.
“It’s actually quite difficult to get into a professional choir group because they are small and there isn’t much turnover,” said Scholl, who joined the Elora Festival Singers about three years ago and is the youngest singer in the group.
One of the finest chamber choirs in Canada, the group performs both sacred and secular classical music and gives close to 20 concerts a year across Canada, mostly in summer.
“In the summer, we spend six or seven hours a day practising songs and performing,” said Scholl. “It’s a big commitment, but singing with a choir is an amazing experience because you have to feel a connection with the people you are singing with. You have to be able to sound like a cohesive unit, which is something the Elora Festival Singers does really well.”
Scholl started playing piano at age five but quickly turned his attention to singing after performing a solo when he was just eight years old.
“After that, I started joining every choir under the sun. I just love the thrill of making an emotional connection with the audience through singing.”
Once he graduates from U of G, Scholl plans to blend his passion for music with his love of science by pursuing a career as an ear, nose and throat doctor working with singers.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982 or dhealey@uoguelph.ca.
