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: 2002 - 2003

November, 2003 - "It's a Grand Night for Singing" Rodgers & Hammerstein

Music from State Fair, Carousel, Allegro, South Pacific, Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma, as well as "Funny Valentine" and "Can't Help Loving that Man" were performed in a Cabaret setting. Soloists included professional soprano, Dawn Ovando as well as local soloists: Joel Strobeck, Patti Rubin, Peter Delaney, Jonathan West, Barbara Roach, Victoria Solon, and Beth Holder. Mike Rubin was the accompanist and Tom Clark - percussion.

April, 2003 - Georg Friedrich Händel's Messiah

Messiah's premiere in April 13th, 1742, 261 years ago this Sunday, was the culminating event of Händel's (1685-1759) extended stay in Dublin. Given at Neals Music Hall on Fishamble Street, the audience numbered about 700, 40+ in the orchestra, 7 soloists and 32 stalwart men and boys in the chorus. Composed in a record 24 days it was originally described as "fine entertainment". The most famous oratorio has since become a traditional Christmas offering but actually depicts the prophecy, nativity and His suffering, death and Resurrection. Our production, with a 57-member chorus and 19-member orchestra was dedicated to the memory of Charles J. Newcomb, long-time singer and supporter of the ECAS. The soloists included Thomas Bradshaw, tenor; Gregory Cantwell, Baritone; Margaret Brooks, Soprano; Robyn Shapiro, Mezzo-soprano.

November, 2002 - "Silver Jubilee Celebration"

A Choral Masterworks Concert to celebrate 25 years of glorious vocal music by the Easton Choral Arts Society.included the chorus in Church, in Opera, on Broadway, on Holiday and our African-American heritage. The program includes O Magnum Mysterium, Song of Simeon with Jonathan West, baritone, Mozart's Sanctus, honoring our founder, Florence Ruley, the Pilgrim's Chorus from Wagner's "Tannhauser", Habenera from George Bizet's "Carmen", sung by Patti Rubin, mezzo-soprano, Va Pensiero from "Nabucco", Richard Wagner's Bridal Chorus from "Lohengrin", and Casta Diva from "Norma" by Bellini, sung by Beth Holder, soprano. The Broadway selections included 42nd Street, Modern Major General, Masquerade from "The Phantom of the Opera" and Autumn Leaves. Holiday selections were Coventry Carol and Advent Songs, with a closing selection of Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerico.

April, 2002 - "In A Cappella Concert"
This "A Cappella" concert promotes the glory of the human voice, unaccompanied. G. P da Palestrina's "Missa Papae Marcelli" is followed by contemporary age selections from Ireland featuring Skip Decker to English, Spanish and Germanic selections. Early American and African American selections closed the program. Featured soloists also included Barbara Roach, Patti Rubin, Ann Robinson and Beth Holder.

Easton Choral Arts Society
P. O. Box 13
Easton, Maryland 21601