Choir of the Church of the Advent, Chengcheng Ma & Mark Dwyer
Biographie Choir of the Church of the Advent, Chengcheng Ma & Mark Dwyer
Chengcheng Ma
is a distinguished artist celebrated for his achievements in numerous international piano competitions. His concerto performances with orchestras such as Sinfonia da Camera, the Hebei Province Symphony Orchestra, the Brookline Symphony Orchestra, and the Boston University Symphony Orchestra showcase his ability to bring both technical precision and emotional depth to his interpretations. Under the direction of accomplished conductors including Ian Hobson, James Burton, Peng Tuo, and Andrew Altenbach, Chengcheng has demonstrated remarkable versatility, performing major works by composers ranging from Mozart to John Corigliano with equal conviction and artistry. A passionate collaborator with contemporary composers, he also specializes in the music of iconic jazz pianists.
The Choir of The Church of the Advent, Boston
is a professional choir with the prime responsibility of providing appropriate music for the liturgy in this Anglo-Catholic parish. In a year’s time they will have sung about 50 Mass settings, and over 100 anthems, motets, canticles, carols, etc., in addition to a body of chants. While specializing in Renaissance polyphony, the choir’s repertoire is truly catholic, spanning all historical periods from Gregorian chant to world premieres. The Advent Choir’s performance has achieved both national and international recognition, including critically-acclaimed compact disc recordings on the Arsis and AFKA labels. The choir’s performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio, BBC Radio 3, as well as Boston’s WGBH. They have presented many concerts here and abroad and were a featured ensemble in the 1990 and 2014 American Guild of Organists National Conventions, the 1994 and 2003 Boston Early Music Festival concert series, the 1999 American Guild of Organists Region I Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the 1999 and 2019 Boston Conferences of the Association of Anglican Musicians.
Mark Dwyer
has held the position of Organist and Choirmaster of The Church of the Advent, Boston since 2007. He has held similar positions at St. Paul’s Church, K Street in Washington, DC and The Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, New York. Dr Dwyer is active as an organ recitalist, having presented programs throughout the United States and in England. He conducts The Advent Choir, an all-professional ensemble of 18 singers which presents over 100 anthems and motets in addition to fifty choral settings of the mass each year for the liturgies of The Church of the Advent. During his tenure, The Advent Choir has become known not only for their stylish performances of Renaissance polyphony, but also for their impassioned readings of 20th and 21st-century works. His work as conductor, accompanist and recitalist may be heard on the JAV, Arsis, and AFKA recording labels. Mark Dwyer is a graduate of the New England Conservatory; in 2012, Nashotah House Seminary awarded him the degree, Doctor of Music, honoris causa, in recognition of his contributions to the field of sacred music.
