Dear ,
Since our last newsletter Chorus Niagara has had a busy and exciting couple of months. Our BIG BAND Christmas Concert was a SOLD-OUT success; the Chorus sang at the Olympic Torch Relay Celebration in Niagara Falls; and we celebrated the festive season at our annual Wassail Party...all within three days in December!
What's your New Year's resolution? Perhaps it's to attend more cultural events this year, or to introduce a friend or neighbour to your favourite cultural groups. Preparations are now underway for our next big concert, J.S. Bach's St. John Passion...the opera Bach never wrote. Tickets are available now so why not order while it's on your mind? They make a great gift and a wonderful way to celebrate the season as a family.
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JOIN US IN OUR PASSION!
Chorus Niagara performs J.S. Bach's vivid and dramatic masterwork The Passion According to St. John, with
a roster of six outstanding young Canadian soloists, along with the Talisker
Players, on March 6 in Grimsby and March 7 in St. Catharines.
The
Passion According to St John is one of Bach's
greatest masterpieces...a work of intense emotion and operatic proportions
compressed into a taut and highly charged choral drama. The story of the
passion and death of Christ is conveyed with enormous fervour by the central
characters re-telling the events of
this impassioned narrative, supported by the chorus as the angry mob.
The St.
John Passion was Bach's first large-scale vocal work. Through the
alternation of arias, recitatives, dramatic choruses and serene chorales, Bach
eloquently sets the themes of betrayal, redemption, fear, suffering,
intolerance and hatred that are so timeless and universal even in today's
world, regardless of one's personal creed.
Bach's message of forgiveness is incisively delivered through this
blazingly beautiful Baroque masterpiece.
This is the opera Bach never wrote!
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BIG BAND CONCERT A SUCCESS!
John Rollo, sponsor of our exciting Christmas concert had this reaction to the BIG BAND event:
"WOW!!! What a Night...you rocked it! Cathy & I thoroughly enjoyed the
evening. The youth Choir may be small in numbers but in a short time the tone of
the future is taking shape. Well done indeed! The program was great, a nice
blending of traditional favourites presented with a new twist....and
then...THEN!!!...the BIG BAND sound! Dare I use that overused
word...AWESOME!...YES IT WAS!!! Many thanks for your hard work, it is
appreciated."
Several other audience members commented on the joyous feeling that emanated from the enthusiastic combination of chorus and jazz band. For those who missed this sold-out performance, plan to get your tickets early for our next concerts. We don't want you to be disappointed!
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SIDE-BY-SIDE CHORALE
As the major choral organization in the Niagara Region, one of our mandates is to share our passion for choral performance with the very fine high school music programs in the area and to pursue collaborative opportunities that will excite young singers and stimulate greater interest in choral art.
For the past number of years, a group of high school music students has joined Chorus Niagara for the preparation and performance of one concert a year. This season the Side-by-Side Chorale will be a part of the witty and sparkling music of our Gilbert and Sullivan Extravaganza in May.
Here's what one of last year's SXS members, Ola Kiermacz of Laura Secord High School says about her experience: | "I felt immediately accepted by the choir and had tutors all around me who were willing to help me out. I developed an even stronger passion for music than before I joined SXS Chorus Niagara.
My skills in sight-reading and understanding of dynamics improved and I experienced music at a much higher level than at school. Being part of this amazing local choir with people who really have a passion for what they do is the reason I can't wait to join again this year!"
Teachers and students interested in this unique singing opportunity should contact SXS coordinator: Pat McKenzie (905.934.8501) or by e-mail: SXS Coordinator
Side-by-Side Chorale: Carmina Burana, May 2009
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WASSAIL PARTY
 The annual Wassail party held in December at Ridley College was once again a festive evening and a huge success thanks to Jane and Stewart Reimer and their committee.
A sold-out crowd enjoyed wassail, seasonal finger foods, fantastic door prizes, carol singing and musical interludes provided by the Wassail Singers.
Thanks to all who attended and made this another successful fundraiser for the chorus.
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Bob Henderson leads Wassail guests in his traditional hilarious interpretation of The Twelve Days of Christmas!
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The Olympic Cauldron is lit and Chorus Niagara welcomes the torch with the official Torch Relay Song in Niagara Falls on December 20.
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Saturday March 6, 2010 @ 7:30 p.m.
Mountainview Christian Reformed Church
290 Main Street East, Grimsby
Tickets available at
The Dutch Shop, Grimsby
Sunday March 7, 2010 @ 3 p.m.
Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria
67 Church Street, St. Catharines
For tickets call
(905.688.5550 ext. 3257)
Brock Box Office
or online at
www.arts.brocku.ca
This concert graciously sponsored by Peter and Janet Partridge
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TRIVIA NIGHT March 26
Imagine impressing your friends with your amazing knowledge of all things trivial!
Join us for a Chorus Niagara tradition...our annual Trivia Night.
Quiz Master Jeff Baker says that everyone will have a fun time at this
fundraiser. "We have questions from all sorts of
categories such as geography, sports, literature, science, arts and we
even weave in a little advertising for our last concert: Gilbert and
Sullivan Extravaganza."
Players are grouped into tables of eight and pizza is served half way through the evening. Cash bar and lots of great door prizes!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Ukrainian Black Sea Hall
455 Welland Avenue
St. Catharines
Tickets for tables of 8 can be arranged by contacting: Katie Zartman at 905.818.3510 or
via e-mail: Trivia Night Tickets
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SCHOLARSHIP FOR CNCC
Members of A Cappella Niagara Chorus present a cheque for $1500 to Melanie Marlin and CNCC on behalf of Sing Canada Harmony.
Chorus Niagara Children's Choir was delighted recently to learn that they have received a scholarship of $1500 from Sing Canada Harmony which will allow each chorister to attend a weekend retreat. The weekend which is to be held in January at Five Oaks Retreat Centre, will feature theory, sight-singing, learning of new repertoire and movement workshops with African drums and dancing!
Sing Canada Harmony is a registered charity that was created to provide financial assistance to young people for educational and training opportunities in vocal music particularly in schools and communities across Canada. Derek Stevens, father of two CNCC choristers and director of A Cappella Niagara, was instrumental in obtaining the scholarship for the choir. Chorus Niagara is most grateful for this support of CNCC.
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Niagara Centre for the Arts |
| Chorus Niagara is an enthusiastic supporter of the new Niagara Centre for the Arts in downtown St. Catharines. We welcome the commitment of the City of St. Catharines and Brock University to this initiative.
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Thanks to Kevin Argue, Clay Morehead, Joan Medina and Niagara Parks Commission for photos in this edition.
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