Bel Canto Singers, Inc.
“Bel Canto” is Italian for “beautiful singing.” Beautiful singing is the desire of every member in Bel Canto Singers of Daytona. Established in 1971, the Daytona Beach, Florida based singing group performs three to four classical and semi-classical music concerts yearly. From September to May, Bel Canto may be heard throughout the area performing in churches, auditoriums, university halls and performing art centers. The group also performs in collaborative efforts with international, national and local directors and with other artists and chorales.
Presenting works of the masters is a priority with Bel Canto Singers of Daytona. Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’s German Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem and Vivaldi’s Gloria are among their favorite performances. However, they are just as comfortable offering concerts with such diversity as Carmina Burana, Frostiana or Porgy and Bess. The group also routinely performs concerts of spirituals, hymns and their ever-popular tunes from Broadway. Occasionally, Bel Canto shares the stage with other musicians such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Florida Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Stetson University Symphony Orchestra, Daytona State Community Orchestra, and Solisti Chamber Orchestra. They have also conducted two international tours.
Initially begun as a small cadre of friends gathering to sing Christmas Carols, the group expanded under the leadership of Judson Rogers to include other like-minded musicians in the area. Mr. Rogers continued to lead and direct the group he had founded for the next 37 years, retiring in the spring of 2008. Bel Canto Singers of Daytona began a new era in the autumn of 2008 under the direction of Mr. Norris Williams, a longtime member and featured baritone soloist.
In the fall of 2014, Bel Canto begins it's newest chapter with Dr. David Redman serving as artistic director.
Dr. David Redman has completed his dissertation of his Ph.D. in Music Education at the School of Music, University of South Florida in Tampa, FL, USA. His dissertation topic was “Motivation of Adult, Auditioned Community Choirs: Implications toward Lifelong Learning” where he had researched the motivational factors as to why one chooses to be part of a community choral music ensemble. While at USF, Dr. Redman studied choral conducting with Dr. James Bass and sang with Master Chorale of Tampa Bay.
Dr. Redman obtained his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL, USA, where he concentrated in choral conducting, studying with nationally and internationally recognized conductor and composer, Dr. David Brunner. While at UCF he assisted Dr. Brunner, conducting the University Chorus and Chamber Singers.
Dr. Redman’s Bachelor in Music Education Degree was obtained from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA, where he studied choral music and conducting with Maurice Casey.
Vocal performing ensembles that Dr. Redman has sung with include the Cantari Singers of Columbus, OH; Florida Pro Music, Tampa, FL; Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL, and, Bel Canto Singers, Daytona Beach, FL.
Dr. Redman's teaching career has included, vocal music instructor at Washington Court House Middle School, Washington Court House, OH; Indian Lake High School, Lewistown, OH; Burns Science and Technology Charter School, Oak Hill, FL, and, graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, working with undergraduate students majoring in music education.
Dr. Redman has served as director of music for the Christ United Methodist Church, Lakeview, OH; First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Bellefontaine, OH; and, the Indian Lake Community Church, Russells Point, OH, the latter where he served 22 years.
Vocal coaches and instructors that Dr. Redman has studied with include Beverley Rinaldi, (Ret.) Cleveland Institute of Music; Helen Swank, Ohio State University; and, Thomas Potter, University of Central Florida.
Dr. Redman has operated his own voice studio since 1982. Focusing on the adolescent and adult voice. Many of his students have progressed with successful collegiate and professional auditions. Successful student auditions have included being admitted as students to the Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, MI; the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, OH and the Manhattan School of Music, New York, NY.
Dr. Redman served in the U.S. Armed Services as a performing musician with the 338th U.S. Army Band from 1990 to 2006 as a trombonist, vocalist and narrator. Performances in parades and concerts for public presentations and official ceremonies were a paramount part of his service.
Dr. Redman is a native of Huntsville, OH and currently lives in Edgewater, FL.
August 2017
