The Farmington Valley Chorale continues its 50th anniversary year with a multi-faceted program that provides new opportunities for singers to engage with music making and learning.
“From its first public concert in 1970, the Chorale has done extraordinary work in bringing together singers to perform the best in choral literature,” says Ellen Gilson Voth, artistic director. “No pandemic can erase the beauty of that music, or the impact it has had on countless singers and audience members over the past fifty years. In the spirit of our anniversary, we are dedicating this fall to exploring several masterworks we have performed—a closer look at the composers’ lives, forces which influenced their writing, how their music is constructed, and why their works have stood the test of time. We look forward to giving our 50th anniversary concert when circumstances allow, but until that time, we’re continuing to celebrate and remain proud of our strength as an organization, looking ahead to the next fifty years.”
In addition to this Masterwork of the Month series, Dr. Voth will be offering two Music in Response programs for the public—one-night events in which she and a guest colleague will discuss, in depth, a piece of music that focuses on musical works that emerged in times of crisis or, in some way, speak to our vulnerability and coping through times of crisis.
On Oct. 11 the program begins with a close look at a J.S. Bach cantata (BWV 25), with a dynamic speaker and Bach expert, Dr. Chris Shepard, the artistic director of CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists), the Worcester Chorus (Worcester, Mass.), the Masterwork Chorus of New Jersey, and Director of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Stamford.
Chorale president Jerry Queen summed up plans for the new season, “There’s no doubt that the pandemic has presented incredible challenges for all performing organizations. We miss the chance to rehearse together and perform, but we’re excited about this opportunity to engage our membership in programs that will build our music literacy and skills for the future.”
For information about the Music in Response programs, visit farmingtonvalleychorale.org