Lakeshore Chorale Concert
The Lakeshore Chorale, directed by Wayne Wildman and accompanied by Kathy Pedersen, will be performing the first concert of its 2009-10 “Season of Song” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at First United Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. Titled “A Song of Thanksgiving,” the concert will feature the adult choir, the three choirs of the Lakeshore Youth Chorale, soloists, and a chamber orchestra.
All of the voices of the Lakeshore Chorale, adults and youth, will join together for the title piece, “A Song of Thanksgiving” by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Originally called, “Thanksgiving for Victory,” this piece was commissioned by the BBC in 1943 to be broadcast upon the defeat of Hitler. Vaughan Williams chose texts from the Bible, Shakespeare, and Kipling to highlight both the glories of England’s past as well as a hope for a bright future. “By the time he wrote this piece, Vaughan Williams' style was imbued with the flavor of English folksongs. And so the music has grandeur but also a touching simplicity that speaks very directly to the listener,” Wildman said. Soloist Linda Adams, soprano, will be featured in this moving work, and Kenneth Okkerse will provide dramatic narration.
The Youth Chorale, directed by Heather Hammond and accompanied by Tricia Marton and Drea Wagner, will perform in the next section of the concert. The Lyric Choir, which is comprised of the youngest singers, will perform “Thank You For the World So Sweet” by Betty Bertaux. The Jubilate Choir, consisting of upper elementary and middle school unchanged voices, will perform “Let the Children Sing” by Noel Goemanne. The Chamber Choir includes more mature and experienced young voices. They will perform “Auf! Stimmet die Saiten” (Be Joyful With Singing) by Dietrich Buxtehude and “Sing Alleluia, Clap Your Hands” by Sally K. Albrecht.
Following a brief intermission, the orchestra will accompany the Lakeshore Chorale in a performance of Joseph Haydn’s “Mass in B Flat (Theresienmesse).” Four members of the Chorale will be featured as soloists: Penny Kindraka (soprano), Ann Muellenbach (alto), Tyler Williams (tenor) and R. Benjamin Dobey (bass). Written during Haydn’s employment by the princely Esterhazy family of the Austro- Hungarian Empire, the Mass, filled with musical contrasts, is full of the joy of life for which Haydn is well known. “This is brilliant and festive music,” Wildman said. “Haydn employed all of the techniques available to a composer of his time to create a universal song of praise. There are monumental moments but also portions that are deeply personal and emotional. There are solemn passages, but also energetic and even playful ones as well.”
All tickets may be purchased from Lakeshore Chorale members, online at www.lakeshore chorale.org , or at the door one hour prior to the performance. For more information, call the Lakeshore Chorale office at (920) 451-1863.
