Douglas I. Smith, D.M.A., Artistic Director
"Mass in D" by Anton Dvorak Saturday May 10th, 2008 at 8 pm and Sunday May 11th, 2008 at 3 pm at the Avalon Theatre
Previous Programs: 2000 - 2001
December,
2001 - "Home for the Holidays"
"Home for the Holidays" was a concert featuring "The Carol" in
an effort to create a closeness and connection in celebrating our diversity
during difficult times. It was our hope that the warmth felt in these selections
would be our gift to you - an embodiment of the essence of home, family
and feelings of peace and good will toward all of humanity. Some of the
selections included: "Over the River and Through the Woods", "Caroling,
Caroling", "I Wonder as I Wander", "Ave Maria", "The Twelve Days of Christmas",
a selection of French Carols, "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "A La Nanita
Nana", and variations on "Jingle Bells". Soloists included Beth
Holder, Ed Nordby, Patty Rubin, Peter Delaney, Jonathan West, Steve Strobeck,
and Lisa Hibble on the clarinet.
April, 2001 - Handel's "Israel in Egypt"
Israel in Egypt was written by George Frederick Handel during
a decade interlude between his Italian Opera compositions and his move
to composing english Oratorio in 1739. It contains various forms of oratorio,
ode and opera. Though not commercially successful in its day, it remains
one of his most interesting works. The composition begins with the lamentations
of the children of Israel in Egyption bondage and is followed by the triumphant
escape and victory during their Exodus and return to their native land
under the leadership of Moses. The oratorio represents a significant and
varied role for the chorus as story teller and main cast of characters.
Solists for this performance included Michael Thompson, Tenor, Bonnie Forgacs,
Alto, and Sandra Jarrett, Soprano.The presentation was performed with a
Baroque Orchestra and was dedicated to the memory of Melba Yates, beloved
soprano of this group for many years, with Douglas I. Smith conducting.
The millenium fall concert, performed in the Avalon Theatre, included Beethoven's aria "Soll ein Schuh nicht Drucken" with Patricia Rubin, mezzo soprano, as soloist; the "Choral Fantasy, Op. 80" with M. Ken Takasawa, pianist; soloists: Barbara Roach, Frances Danner, Steve Strobeck and Jonathan West, and Beethoven's only oratorio "Christ on the Mount of Olives, Opus 85", premiering in 1803. This work was based on the gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ preceding his crucifiction. Soloists for this performance included J. Curtis White, tenor; Beth Holder, soprano and Peter Delaney, bass, and were accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra. Douglas I. Smith, DMA was the artistic director and conductor and Michael Rubin was rehearsal pianist.
April
2000 - "Peace in the Millenium"
This concert was presented at the Avalon Theatre as a free concert
to the community in appreciation for the community's loyal support over
the years. Ralph Vaughn William’s Dona Nobis Pacem (1936) incorporates
3 Walt Whitman poems to dedicate a sense of mourning for lost loved ones
and for the loss of a simpler way of life. But it is also about the living
and their recovery from the unspeakable horrors of war. The second half
of the concert featured lighter better-known music of Bach, Rutter, Casals
and a special collection of patriotism and protest music from WWII (White
Cliffs of Dover, sung by Robin Bachand and Apple Blossom Time,
sung
by Ellen Wile, Tracey Phillips and Frances Danner) and the “60’s” (Age
of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, sung by a small group of "hippie"
impersonators), and concluded with a medley of patriotic songs. Mike Rubin
was the piano accompanist along with Tom Clark, percussion; Lisa Hibble,
clarinet; Kevin Darrow, oboe.
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Easton Choral Arts Society
P. O. Box 13
Easton, Maryland 21601