A Year In Singing
Before we start into a whole new year of events, let’s look back at some of the exciting events from the 2008/09 season:
From The New World: Motet Choir at Symphony Center
Motet Choir had the honor of singing before a Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance this past March. The beautiful Grainger Ballroom was the backdrop for an evening of Dvorak, Victoria, the Argentine composer Orrego-Salas, and everyone’s favorite, Eric Whitacre. The setting was elegant, the singing was elegant, and many rarely heard gems were heard by all.
The C Minor Mass
University Chorus put in a lot of work rehearsing in a short time, building a suitable stage, and putting together what was a truly fine performance of Mozart’s C Minor Mass. We had a great attendance for a short concert on Valentine’s Day. Truly a labor of love, whether it was a Father’s scorn or newlywed bliss, Mozart’s beautiful music fits the Chapel perfectly.
WAKEup! Another World Premiere
Sandström embracing his own High Mass
Sven-David Sandström’s Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimmen was premiered in February. Sandström was at the dress rehearsals and performance. He seemed pleased with his new work, which was based on the text of the familiar Bach cantata. Speaking of famous texts, months later his Messiah was premiered at the Oregon Bach Festival. Here’s a short clip of the opening movement. Sleeping in too much? Try WACHET:
To read more about his music, check out the article on Opera News:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/issue/article.aspx?id=5272&issueID=335
A New Dean
This year we sang in the new Dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth Davenport. Britten’s Antiphon and a work of James Kallembach’s: Wisdom Canticles. Here is a little video of the event:
Elizabeth with the Provost
And here is a little audio clip of Wisdom Canticles:
Elizabeth is a trained organist and chorister. She has really made the Chapel an exciting place for everything from the arts and music to yoga!