Dear Friend of Chorus Niagara,
Welcome to the first edition of Chorus Niagara's
e-newsletter! A big THANK YOU to Megan Cooper who won the contest for the new name! We plan to keep you informed about chorus events, to entertain you with behind-the-scenes stories, and to entice you with previews of upcoming concerts.
We thank you for your interest and support and invite your comments about the newsletter and any of the articles. Most of all, we look forward to welcoming you to our next concert... A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS on Saturday, December 19 at Calvary Church. |
| Haydn's Creation, Grimsby November 7 |
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Swing into the Holiday Spirit with Chorus Niagara's BIG BAND CHRISTMAS |
The centrepiece to Chorus Niagara's Big Band Christmas is the Canadian premiere of A Christmas Cantata by the Swedish composer Nils Lindberg...an exciting mix of different genres - English carols, jazz music, Swedish folk music - exquisitely arranged by Lindberg for choir, two vocal soloists and Big Band, replete with saxophones, brass, percussion and jazz keyboard stylings. Christmas reflections, based on the Gospels of St. Matthew, St. John and St. Luke, are interspersed with the most famous of English carols: "Ding, Dong Merrily on High", "Deck the Halls", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and more ...all set with infectious harmonies of classical music and jazzy rhythms.
Jack Bowers, frequent writer from All About Jazz describes Lindberg's work as "an immaculately conceived treatise that blends music based on biblical passages with traditional English, French, Welsh and Swedish carols and songs into an iridescent medley that invigorates, inspires and swings in equal measure".
The programme will also include more traditional Seasonal favourites such as Ralph Vaughn William's Fantasia on Christmas Carols, and a special guest appearance of our own CHORUS NIAGARA CHILDREN'S CHORUS.
"It's Christmas with groove!"
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Accolades for Haydn's Creation
Chorus Niagara's first concert on November 7 & 8 was met with enthusiasm in both Grimsby and St. Catharines:
" Chorus Niagara is so large and they love to sing the grand full chorus parts. When it comes to the pianissimos (& there were a few) , it was an enchanting sound. "
" Allison's voice was so clear and it beautifully soared above the chorus, complementing the choir sound in her Aria, With Verdure Clad the Fields Appear. She has such a lovely expressive face connecting very well with the audience."
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| Conductor Melanie Marlin leads CNCC's choristers in a warm-up |
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New Conductor for Children' Choir |
Chorus Niagara is excited to welcome Melanie Marlin as the new conductor of the Chorus Niagara Children's Choir. Originally from Nova Scotia, Melanie studied music at Dalhousie University and holds a Masters degree in choral conducting from the University of Alberta. Her conducting experience includes adult, youth and children's choirs. In addition to CNCC, Melanie directs the University Settlement Children's Choir in Toronto, and is currently the Conductor's Intern with the Toronto Children's Chorus.
The children of CNCC have reacted enthusiastically to Melanie and her energetic rehearsals, and are hoping that many more will come out to join them. Local music teachers, parents and interested children are welcome to observe a rehearsal . Just call ahead to arrange a visit or to book an audition for the new year. (905-354-0547 or lyn1001@hotmail.com)
Chorus Niagara is delighted that the Children's Choir will join us in our BIG BAND CHRISTMAS concert on December 19.
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| A Brush with Royalty |
Chorus Alto Liz Palmieri received an exciting surprise in her mail in early November...an invitation to dinner with Prince Charles at Rideau Hall! Liz, who is Executive Director of the Niagara Community Foundation, had met Governor General Michaelle Jean and her husband at Cuvee in 2008. The 100 guests invited to dinner with Prince Charles shared his interests in food and wine, architecture, the military, and the environment. As Liz said of her experience, "During the evening I met some very interesting people - the head of the Assembly of First Nations, the Executive Director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and journalist Michael Valpy, who I had the pleasure of sitting beside during dinner. The food was all Canadian and I was proud that 3 of the 4 wines served were from Niagara.
It was a wonderful evening and my nervousness about going on my own left as soon as I arrived. I made a point to talk about Chorus Niagara, the Niagara Community Foundation and Niagara wine throughout the evening. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience."
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A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS |
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Saturday, December 19, 2009 @ 7:30pm
Calvary Church,
89 Scott Street, St. Catharines
This performance graciously sponsored
by John and Cathy Rollo
For tickets call:
(905) 688-5550 ext. 3257,
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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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 WASSAIL
PARTY |
Monday, December 21
7:30 p.m.
Great Hall, Ridley College
The Wassail Party has become a popular and established tradition in Niagara. Guests enjoy hors d'oeuvres and hot mulled wine as they join in the singing of carols, seasonal readings, and music sung by the Wassail Singers. Join Chorus Niagara for its annual Wassail Party and make this a joyous start to your holiday season.
Tickets : $25.00 each
Call: 905-563-1824
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Chorister Donates
Retirement Gift |
When chorister Jane Pierre retired last spring after 25 years with Investors Group Inc., she was surprised to learn that the company would donate $1000 to a charity of her choice as a retirement gift. When asked why she chose Chorus Niagara for her gift, Jane replied, " I selected Chorus Niagara as the recipient of this donation from Investors Group because good music is one of my passions and I have a deep respect for Bob Cooper, his direction and his excellent selection of repertoire for the Chorus. In addition is my connection to the Chorus members themselves - they are a wonderful group of people and we all share the same passion."
Investors Group Inc. is one of many companies that will also match employees' annual charitable donations. We applaud this forward thinking company for their generosity, and Jane for choosing Chorus Niagara for her retirement gift. When you donate to Chorus Niagara, why not check with your employer to see if they have a similar matching gift programme? Many Canadian companies do, and like Jane, you may be surprised to find you donation can be doubled.
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Chorus Niagara
wishes you and
your family
a
Joyous Holiday Season
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