Lakeshore Chorale Christmas Concert on tap
The Lakeshore Chorale will perform the second concert of its 2009-2010 season, “A Song of Christmas,” Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m., at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Sheboygan.
The chorale, under the direction of Wayne Wildman and accompanied by Kathy Pedersen, will join with the Lakeshore Youth Chorale, under the direction of Heather Hammond and accompanied by Tricia Marton and Drea Wagner, to present a program of Christmas music and readings.
The afternoon’s music will focus on a work titled “Missa Pastoril” by Brazilian composer Jose Mauricio Nunes Garcia.
Garcia, who was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1767, was ordained as a priest and became known for his musical and intellectual abilities, as well as his humility as a priest.
He was appointed court composer of the Portuguese Prince Joao VI, when the royalty relocated to Brazil, upon Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal.
During Garcia’s tenure as court composer, he wrote dozens of works for the royal chapel and gained fame as a pianist. It was also during this time that he wrote “Missa Pastoril.”
A chamber ensemble will accompany the chorale’s performance, made up of the unusual instrumentation that Garcia prescribed.
He did not include violins, but instead used clarinets to provide a distinctive coloring, while the divided violas and cellos lend a warm foundation for the orchestra.
Several soloists from the chorale will also be featured throughout the work, including Sandy Fyffe of Sheboygan Falls, Sandie Palmer, Becky Haen (soprano), Ann Muellenbach, Mary Klein (alto), Tyler Williams of Sheboygan Falls (tenor), William Kohler and Benjamin Dobey (bass).
The Lakeshore Youth Chorale will present several pieces arranged for young voices.
The Lyric Choir, which is composed of the youngest singers, will sing “Let the Merry Music Ring” by Jill Gallina, “Follow” by Mark Wilson and Jane Foster Knox, and “Minka,” a Russian folksong by Jill Ann Jones.
The Jubilate Choir, which is made up of older, more experienced singers, will present “A la Media Noche,” arranged by Greg Gilpin, “Sing We Now of Christmas,” arranged by Joyce Eilers, and “Go Where I Send Thee!,” arranged by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory.
All of the youth ensembles will join together to sing “Peace, Peace,” by Rick and Sylvia Powell.
The Chamber Choir, which is made up of the most accomplished young singers, will perform “Festival Deck the Hall,” arranged by Jay Althouse, “White,” by Ron Nelson and Thomas E. Ahlburn, and “Psallite,” by Michael Praetorious.
Finally, the adult choir will join the Chamber Choir to sing “Hodie Christus natus est,” by Giovanni Gabrielli, a work for two choirs. Musical selections will be interspersed with Christmas readings by Nan Browne, Dan Clausen, Nancy Johnsen, Eleanor Jung and Dean Pratt.
The afternoon’s concert will be followed by a cookies and punch reception in the basement of the church, hosted by the Lakeshore Youth Chorale.
Tickets may be purchased from Lakeshore Chorale members, at www.lakeshorechorale.org or at the door one hour prior to the performance.
For more information, call the Lakeshore Chorale office at 920-451-1863.
