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: 2006 - 2007

May, 2006 - "Ebony and Ivory" An American Gospel Celebration

A review of white and black gospel music. This music springs from the history of the African American Negro Spiritual. Before 1865, the majority of Africans brought to the new world came from several regions of the African West Coast. While the slaves were often converted to Christianity, they retained much of their African heritage, in a blending of East and West. The spirituals of the church also became the "chain gang" or work songs which also included not only the message of the Gospel Good News, but the daily life difficulties of being a slave. This performance included such favorites as Ride On, King Jesus, Steal Away, Ezekiel Saw de Wheel, There is a Balm in Gilead, The Battle of Jerico, Elijah Rock and Go Tell it on the Mountain. Soloits included Beth Holder Hallworth, Lisa Hibble (clarinet), James Lohr, Scott Clauesen, Geneva Stork, Carrie Miller (cello), Patti Rubin and Ruth Palmer.

November, 2006 - "Mozart 250th Anniversary Celebration" 

Missa in C, K.317 Salzburg, 23 di Marzo 1779; Ave Verum, K.618, Baden, 17 di Juni 1791; Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K.339, Salzburg, 15 di Januar 1780.

Performed by the Easton Choral Arts Society and Orchestra.  This Mozart concert was in celebration of Mozart's 250th Anniversary. An appearance by Mozart himself was portrayed by Randy Bachand. The concert was dedicated to the memory of alto, Susan Pryor.

May, 2007 - "Choral Masterworks"

December, 2007 - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas A Christmas Eve Adventure for Children of All Ages                                                                             Richard Osborne, Accompanist; Tom Clark, Percussionist

This concert opened with the Gloria! Alleluia! by Noel Goemanne. Jason Rogers and Pat Shanner were the trumpet players. Other well-known songs included Caroling, Caroling, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Do You Hear What I Hear?, and the Angel's Carol. O Holy Night was sung by the men in the group. Beth Hallworth, soprano, was the soloist for Breath of Heaven and Calvin Robinson was the soloist for Joseph's Song. Patty Rubin sang Go Tell it On the Mountain to close the first half of the concert. The second set opened with performances by the D'Ann Danse Company of Salisbury dancing to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1949), The Chipmunk Song (1958) and Santa's Got a Semi (1999).  These were followed by the ladies singing I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Joel Strobeck, the tenor soloist for 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Scott Clausen sang the baritone solo of Sweet Little Jesus Boy. The final songs were Carol of the Bells, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and John Rutter's arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

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