Fine Arts Archive - Belle Chantique Concert
Belle Chantique Concert
Nov 2, 2006 @ 7:00 pm
Belle Chantique of Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, FL, will be performing Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," conducted by Mr. Tucker Biddlecombe. The concert will feature the Festival Ringers of FPC.
This advanced women's ensemble is by audition only, and performs numerous concerts throughout the school year. Students learn advanced vocal techniques, advanced repertoire, and strive for excellence in performance. This ensemble often performs outside of school for workshops, clinics, and concerts. Belle Chantique has been invited to perform at the 2006 Florida ACDA convention at Rollins College in Orlando. 
TUCKER BIDDLECOMBE was appointed as the choral director at Tallahassee's Lawton Chiles High School in 2003, where he directs a program encompassing over 150 students. He directs five ensembles, including two entry-level women's choruses, a beginning men's chorus, the mixed ensemble Chiles Singers, and the award-winning advanced women's choir Belle Chantique. In its brief history, the Chiles choral program has earned a reputation of outstanding performance of high-quality repertoire, and has consistently received Superior ratings at District and State festivals.
Chiles High School also has become widely known for its musical theater productions. In 2004, the Chiles Choral department presented a fully-staged production of Gian -Carlo Menotti's opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Mr. Biddlecombe has conducted performances of Chiles' last three musical productions, including “Pirates of Penzance” and “42nd Street.” In 2006, the Chiles Fine Arts department will combine to present a fully staged production of “Oklahoma.”
Mr. Biddlecombe hails from Buffalo, New York, and received his undergraduate degrees from the Crane School of Music in New York State, studying choral music with Dr. Dan Gordon. Mr. Biddlecombe received his Master of Music in choral conducting from Florida State University, where he studied choral music with Dr. André Thomas. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Biddlecombe works with his wife, Mary, as associate music director and organist at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Tallahassee. Mr. Biddlecombe is also a published composer, with choral works published by Alliance and Walton Music. He is currently a district chairman of the Florida Vocal Association, plus he is an active member of ACDA, FMEA, MENC, and theTallahassee Community Chorus.