Ken Goodenberger, Director

 TICKETS

2011-2012 Season

 

SPRING CONCERTS:

"Legacy"
~ composed by 
Craig Bohmler
~lyrics by Marion Adler
Specially commissioned for the 
West Valley Chorale

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
7:00 PM
Faith Presbyterian Church,
Sun City

Thursday, April 12, 2012
7:00 PM
Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church,
Sun City West


IN APRIL, CHORALE TO PREMIER NEW COMPOSTION~ "LEGACY" 
 In April, the West Valley Chorale will present the premier of  a new composition by Craig Bohmler. Craig is a composer/pianist/conductor whose works have been widely performed in North America and Europe. Primarily a composer for the singing theater and voice, he is excited about working with the West Valley Chorale and artistic director Ken Goodenberger.  His new piece, which the chorale will be performing, is entitled "Legacy".  


Craig Bohmler and Ken Goodenberger review the score of the new composition, LEGACY.

Using music and words Mr. Bohmler and lyricist Marion Adler are focusing on sharing the universal experiences that make us who we are as we travel the path of life.  Their work captures patterns of personal growth and the connections and experiences both joyous and sorrowful that create a lifetime.  For this concert a high school group will also perform with the West Valley Chorale.  Thus we will have both singers who are young and singers who are young at heart in our combined chorale.


LEGACY composer, Craig Bohmler accompanies director Ken Goodenberger at the first read through of the new music for the Chorale's upcoming April program.

Rehearsals have begun and the chorale members are excited about the challenging and beautiful new score.  The first piece, “I Will Sing My Heart Open Wide” has special meaning because these senior vocalists have been doing just that for much of their lives. There are songs on love, forgetfulness  and loss. The members also look forward to duets with their teen counterparts. One piece highlights a grandfather and his grandson. Another shows each age group offering intergenerational advice. Craig will be meeting with the chorale and Ken on a regular basis during the rehearsal period.  The commissioning of this concert was made possible by a grant from the Sundome Performing Arts Association.   


WEST VALLEY CHORALE MEMBERS SING AT CARNEGIE HALL

   Fresh from a successful concert season culminating with the magnificent Brahms  REQUIEM, the West Valley Chorale was invited to participate in a multi-chorale concert at Carnegie Hall, directed by John Rutter, internationally acclaimed as one of the greatest choral composers and directors of our time, They were accompanied by the New England Symphony Orchestra.  Attendees would sing the second half of the concert, which was Brahms: ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45,  the same piece they had recently performed, but in the original German.   Five members were able to attend, flying to New York City on Memorial Day Weekend. K. Alyson, Pat Gerber, Barbara Lobodovsky, Grey Pohl and Sherrill Ward became part of a 200 member chorale, composed of singers from all over the United States as well as Canada and New Zealand.

   Although, as Pat pointed out, performing in a concert in that magnificent hall was incredibly moving, the rehearsal with John Rutter, was even more impressive. Sherril recalls that all the singers were awed by Mr. Rutter’s ability to stress the nuances of musicality and to draw the very best performances from them without being overbearing, as someone of his stature might very well be.  Indeed Kay, Barbara and Grey all commented that Mr. Rutter was very personable and livened the experience with personal anecdotes from his long career.  During two rehearsals lasting 4 hours each, the participants were able to really focus on the German lyrics, the dynamics of the piece and the blending of voices so necessary for a superb performance.  The resulting concert on May 30th was a triumph.  Mr. Rutter commented after the performance that out of 105 similar shows he had directed, this particular concert ranked among the top few. The West Valley Chorale members agreed that singing at Carnegie Hall was truly the experience of a lifetime.

   The trip allowed time for some sightseeing as well as taking in Broadway shows.  Barbara said that walking through brightly lighted Times Square at midnight in “the city that never sleeps” with throngs of other people was unforgettable. She now is looking forward to preparing for the new West Valley Chorale season.


On Route to Carnagie Hall--Pat Gerber, Sherrill Ward, K. Alyson, Grey Pohl, Barbara Lobodovsky

The West Valley Chorale, Inc.
Box 1173
Sun City , Arizona    85372


Email:  westvalleychorale@usa.net

To join us as a member, or to inquire on how you can support the chorale,
please call 623-214-2259 (Earl)


(c) 2004-2011 West Valley Chorale, Sun City , Arizona
01-17-2012
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