Choral and classical music fans have the opportunity to sing eight of the top choral works of all time as Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley hosts its annual Summer Sings, spread out over six Monday evenings, July 9th to August 13th at 7:30 p.m. Held at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, this community sing-along, open to anyone who wishes to participate, will be directed by respected conductors.
The gathering attracts members from among the over 500 choral groups in the Bay Area who want to revisit favorite masterworks and keep their voices in shape as choruses go on hiatus for the summer. Other participants come for the experience of singing choir songs with a group, or just to listen.
At first glance, Schola’s annual Summer Sings looks somber, with a lineup predominantly of Requiems, meaning a mass to honor the dead. But Music Director Gregory Wait enthusiastically points out these pieces are “Major components of the orchestral choral repertoire. Every choral society and symphonic chorus in the world sings them. And while they share some common text, the harmonic and melodic language of each composer is completely different.”
July 9, Gregory Wait, Schola Cantorum’s Music Director and Director of Vocal Studies, Stanford University, conducts Verdi’s “Requiem,” which sets the Roman text in the operatic style of the great Italian composer.
July 16, Buddy James, Director of Choral/Vocal Studies, Cal State University, East Bay, conducts Brahms’ “Ein Deutsches Requiem,” a German requiem with text from the Bible.
July 23, Shulamit Hoffmann, Artistic Director of Viva La Musical, conducts Handel’s “Messiah.” This is the first time Schola has offered this fan-favorite oratorio during a Summer Sings.
July 30, Jeffrey Benson, Director of Choral Activities at San Jose State University, conducts Fauré’s “Requiem,” known for its soothing lullaby quality, and Duruflé’s “Requiem,” chant-like and melancholic.
August 6, Scot Hanna-Weir, Director of Choral Activities, Santa Clara University, conducts Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna,” and Rutter’s “Requiem,” its hopeful message making it a favorite choice of music for memorials following 9/11.
August 13, Lou De La Rosa, Director of Choral Activities, West Valley College, conducts Mozart’s “Requiem,” a piece that proved to be the composer’s swan-song, as he died before completing it.
Admission is $17 per Sing, or six for the price of five with a FLEX pass. Free for students 25 and under with ID. Scores will be provided at the door. For more information, call 650-254-1700, or visit scholacantorum.org.
Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley is an auditioned 75-voice chorus under the baton of Gregory Wait. Its mission is to connect the Silicon Valley community with the wonders of choral music through outstanding live performances, educational outreach programs, and collaborations with local artists.
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