January 3, 2014

Dear Singers,

Happiest of New Years to you!! What wonderful music you made this fall, and [if you're like me] you're probably still singing some of those tunes.  As we finish the first half of our season, it's time to start thinking about the exciting/rewarding/spectacular things yet to come.  That's correct: Our April concert is billed as a "Choral Spectacular," and that's what we'll expect it to be.  We begin rehearsals on Monday, January 5, at 7 p.m.

"Spectacular" can be many things, but we're planning for it to include a mix of familiar favorites [both loud and soft] and a few new pieces that will absolutely astonish you [guaranteed!].  And all with orchestra, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland, April 12.

To get your appetite started, here is some of the repertoire, with a few links you can preview on YouTube:

--Charpentier, Te Deum: The overture and the chorus: Pleni Sunt Coeli.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Q7jFFSyhY    [If you hear "Masterpiece Theatre" in here, there's a reason.] 
--Verdi, Song of the Hebrew Slaves, from Nabucco
--Wagner, Bridal Chorus, from Lohengrin
--Haydn, Creation: Achieved is the Glorious Work  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tOl3nZ_VP4
--Wilberg, Amazing Grace  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl9cKjSeuqk   
--Brahms, How Lovely are Thy Dwellings, from the German Requiem
--Randol Bass, Gloria    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qAt8TttzyQ    [This is by the same composer who arranged the ISO Christmas medley we sang.  It's much like John Rutter's music, plus some twists. Hard and exciting.]
--Sibelius, Onward, Ye People  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcibtFy3us
--Handel, Praise the Lord With One Accord, from Solomon    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPFUERISOvk

Every one of these is spectacular in its own way, and there are a few other good surprises along the way.  I look forward to sharing these with you.

Please pass the word to other good singers. See you Monday!

Larry