Posted by: John_Hamilton on 11/21/2011 04:04 PM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 11/21/2011 04:12 PM
Expires: 01/01/2016 12:00 AM
:
Columbia College Community Chorus Performs Sounds of the Season
Columbia, CA...The Columbia College Community Chorus, under the musical direction of Columbia College music professor John Carter, presents three performances of its popular “Sounds of the Season,” a concert featuring the 50-voice chorus, soloists, and a 23-piece orchestra at the Sonora Opera Hall. The Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, Dec. 4 concert begins at 3 p.m. Presale tickets are $10 each, $5 age 12 and under. Admission at the door is $12. Tickets may be purchased at Sonora Music, The Mountain Bookstore, Manzanita Book Store, and Murphys Music Co. or by calling (209) 586-5965...
This seasonal program includes both classical and traditional music for chorus and orchestra as well as audience sing-alongs with traditional Christmas music. Featured on the program will be three choruses by the Baroque composer Georg Telemann, Roccoco composer Giovanni Pergolesi’s Magnificat, and excerpts from modern composer Art Frackenpohl’s Winter Celebrations for small instrumental ensemble and chorus. Also adding to the festivities, there will be an opportunity drawing at each concert for three holiday gift baskets.
Based on Psalm 96, the Telemann choruses are taken from his Cantata Sing to the Lord. Each chorus is an expressive setting of a different verse from the Psalm with complex interweavings of the voices and instruments. Magnificat, by Giovanni Pergolesi is one of the masterpieces of the Rococo period. The text, taken directly from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:46-55), is the Mary’s hymn as she was told by the Angel that she would give birth to Jesus. The text, has been joyfully set to music for centuries, including setting by Vivalid and Bach, and will feature the strings, chorus and soloists in a dramatic setting of the words and moods. Soloists include Lora Mills, Chuck Maxon, and Carl Rudolph.
Contrasting to the Baroque and Rococo music will be selections of four movements from the lively Winter Celebrations for chorus and small instrumental, especially the woodwinds. This composition for chorus and small instrumental ensemble celebrating various holidays and traditions, was written by Arthur Frackenpohl, a prolific American composer whose compositions have included over 20 years of arranging for the Canadian Brass and many popular arrangements for bands. Other contributions to the program will be seasonal favorites, accompanied by Chorus pianist Diane Day – Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song, It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas, as well as Christmas Medley arranged by John Carter, the ever-popular audience sing-along, and Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah, all accompanied by full orchestra.
A special feature of the concert will include two more settings of the Magnificat text both by modern composers: Frenchman Francis Poulenc, and American Morton Lauridsen.
Conductor John Carter has led the Columbia College Community Chorus since 1984 when he began full-time teaching at Columbia College. In addition to his work with the Chorus, John has conducted a number of other groups including the Modesto Masterworks Chorus, the Modesto Symphony Chorus, church, school and community groups of all ages. He has been active on the board of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the Sonora Bach Festival. He holds music degrees from Chapman University and Westminster Choir College and a Certificate in the Professional Studies Program in Vocal Performance from Temple University.
Pianist Diane Day, rehearsal accompanist, has lived in Murphys, California, for the past twenty-three years. During this time she has been actively involved in accompanying, teaching, and performing with area groups. She earned her Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Biola University. She has enjoyed performing home concerts with the Canyon Quartet. For the past several years Diane has been an accompanist for vocal majors at California State University Stanislaus (CSUS).
Community Chorus Members come from various parts of the Central Sierra including Sonora, Groveland, Murphys, Arnold, Copperopolis, Angels Camp, Jamestown, and Twain Harte. Members include Donna Bach, *Pink Baker, Diane Brandt, Jim Brandt, *Barbara Broad, Suzanne Burens, LeRoy Bushart, Linda Carter, *Melina Cherling, *Marguerite Close, Marilyn Darwin, Gary Davis, Leslie Davis, June Diggle, Pirkko Dyer, Arielle Earl, Donna Elias, Diana Eppler, Georgeanna Evans, Carol Floyd, Gary Gober, Bev Gulseth, Gloria Hanvelt, Polly Hodnick, Abigail Howard, Jackson Israel, Tom Jamieson, Renorise Krause, Veronica Kristapovich, Tommy Ledesma, Carole Maxson, Chuck Maxson, Judy Miller, Lora Mills, Jeanette Moreno, Esau Munos, Dillon Nelson, Rose Rodriguez, Deb Romberger, *Carl Rudolph, Kathy Rudolph, Janet Russell, Marie Schafle, Joyce Schoettgen, Julie Sieben, Joleen Spratt, Pam Stout, *Janet Telford, Mary Wisehart, and *Diane Wright. (*Board members)
Orchestra members are hired from various parts of the Central Sierra and Central Valley including Sonora, Arnold, Murphys, Modesto, Turlock and Hayward. They include: Violin, Corina Stoian, Bruce Chan Makena Clark, Kari Lassee, Emily Mathe, Dave McCarroll, Colleen Smart, Carolyn Sylva; Cello, Alice Williams, Ralph Retherford; Viola, Duane Baker, Linda Thorpe; Bass, Kim Manuel; Oboe, Jane Buzzard, Matt Cover; Bassoon, Gail Buzzard; Trumpet, Clyde Davis; Trombone, Ken Taylor; French Horn, John Baker, Pat O’Gara; Tuba, Wendy Nash; and, Percussion, Larry Biel.
The Chorus performs music of different styles and eras including major choral masterworks and shorter choral compositions. In addition to preparing a winter and spring concert, the chorus also sponsors “A Festival of Singing” with mother lode area high school and college choirs. The group also takes its music on the road by presenting concerts for retirement communities in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. The chorus is open to interested community members who enjoy singing and wish to dedicate the time to quality choral music and performance. Contact 984-0704, for more information regarding audition information.
___
|
