What: Wichita Chamber Chorale performing great choral music in celebration of the 35th anniversary season of the Chorale.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013, one performance only.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, Kan.
Phone: (316) 204-2315 for information.
Tickets: www.wichitachorale.com/tickets.
Cost: $20 general, $15 seniors, $5 students; high school students are admitted free.
The Wichita Chamber Chorale is pleased to announce their upcoming concert in celebration of the 35th anniversary season of the Chorale. They will perform choral “blockblusters” by J.S. Bach and Benjamin Britten, as well as selections from other significant composers, all representative of the ongoing tradition of the Chorale. The Chorale will also present an award to its founding director, Dr. Michael Pohlenz, and feature a mass choir of current and alumni singers.
In one of his most festive works, J.S. Bach sets the Dramatic text of Mary’s “Magnificat,” and pulls out the stops with his largest orchestra, five-part chorus, and soloists. The Chorale will be joined by soloists Janie Brokenicky, Virginia Revering, Paul Brodene Smith, and Charles Turley. The 23-piece orchestra is made up of professionals and students from the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Friends University and Wichita State University.
Benjamin Britten’s tour de force for choir and organ, “Rejoice in the Lamb,” gives voice to Christopher Smart’s enigmatic and delightful poem. Experience one of the high points of the British choir and organ tradition, featuring the largest pipe organ in Kansas at First United Methodist Church. American composers will also be featured on this concert, with “blockbusters” by Randall Thompson, Eric Whitacre, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Kansas native Steven Stucky.
Rounding out the evening, founding Music Director and Conductor Dr. Michael Pohlenz is returning to Wichita to conduct a mass choir of both current and alumni singers performing several Chamber Chorale favorites. Dr. Pohlenz will be awarded the Director Emeritus title during the concert, and a cookie and punch reception will follow in order to greet Dr. Pohlenz and returning alumni friends and family.
The Chamber Chorale is lauded as Wichita’s premier choral ensemble. In July 2010, Dr. Mark Bartel was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Wichita Chamber Chorale, the third music director in the choir’s 35-year history. He is in his eighth year as Director of Choral Music at Friends University and Conductor of the Singing Quakers. Organist and pianist Julie Warkentin accompanies the WCC ensemble.
Tickets are available at Senseney Music, 2300 E Lincoln, Wichita. They may also be purchased online, at the door, or by telephone. Call (316) 204-2315 for more information.
