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: 2004 - 2005

November, 2005 - Brahms' Requiem

This work is also known as the German Requiem and was first performed in 1868. Brahms, only 28 at the time, had recently felt the terrible death of his mentor, Schumann, and soon after that, his mother's death. Rejections of job applications and rejection by the love of his life, Clara Schumann, put in place the emotional prerequisites necessary for such an effort. Those factors and Brahms' melancholy disposition, produced one of the deepest and most beautiful choral works ever written. The scripture passages offer hope, comfort, and the enveloping love of a caring parental figure.

This performance of The German Requiem, performed with orchestra and conducted by Dr. Smith, included soloists, Beth Holder, soprano, and Scott Clausen, baritone. Narrators included David Foster and Hope Harrington.

April, 2005 - "to Hope!" A Celebration by Dave Brubeck

This Mass, in the revised Roman Ritual, composed by Dave Brubeck, uses a blended style of jazz and classical. "To Hope!" seems deliberately one movement after the next to personalize the Eucharist. The ancient word for communion, Eucharist, is translated as "thankful". The two directions that this great piece can take are one that is strictly artistic and musical or one of a deepening of faith. The ideal is a combination of both - as it was intended. Cantors weew Patty Rubin and Jorge Alvarez.

Soloists included Beth Holder and Lissa Barnes (sopranos), Joyce DeLaurentis and Jane Worm (altos), Ed Nordby and Joel Stobeck (tenors) and Jonathan West (bass). \

The jazz quartet included Warren Kellerhouse, piano; Cam Collins, alto sax; Fred Giles, bass; and Tom Clark, drums.

December, 2004 - "A Choral Arts Christmas" 

Camille Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio and Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata along with Carols by John Rutter, including Nativity Carol, Christmas Lullaby, I Wonder as I Wander, and Deck the Hall.

Ray Brokamp, piano and Richard Osborne, Organ with Brass Quartet" Wayne Wiley, Gary CAffrey, Trumpets and Corey Boltz and Matt Fullerton, Trombones.

Soloists included Gail Aveson and Beth Holder, Soprano; Rachel Clements, Mezzo Soprano; Patty Rubin and Jane Worm, Altos; James Lohr and Joel Strobeck, Tenors; Scott Clausen and Eric Mihan, Baritone; and Jonathan West, Bass.

 Program Notes from Doug:

A favorite musical topic about which to write has become the nativity of Jesus and the events, both actual and prophetic, which lead up to it. So much of our modern day church liturgy has sprung from the Gospel accounts of the birth of Christ and Mary's role as the Blessed Virgin Mother. Each lends itself to some of the most important settings of music during every period. While both of the "Christmas" pieces heard at this concert recount the exact same story, only the "Gloria" sections are contained in both. While the two pieces were written some 100 years apart, many similarities are shared and the differences are completely compatible. When listening to the "romanticized" settings of the texts, though they are in Latin, the music paints a picture and brings to mind the section which they portray. Both composers in this concert were accomplished organists and very involved in church music and knew intimately the capabilities and workings of the choir.

April, 2004 - "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff

One of the most frequently performed choral works, this piece was developed to create a total experience where music, words and movement work together to produce an overwhelming effect, exhilarating and thought provoking. First performed in Frankfort, Germany in 1937, the texts were written in Latin, middle-high German, and old French. This production included soloists: Franklin Phillips, Joel Strobeck, Patty Rubin, Beth Holder and Gail Aveson. The Children's Chorus participated under the direction of Ellen Wile and instrumental accompaniment included Ray Brokamp and Richard Osborne on two pianos; Tom Clark, Paul Cooper, Ted Nichols and Eric Shuster - percussion.

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