Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley’s 2017-2018 season of four concerts opens in October, featuring diverse programs for all ages, and three sing-alongs designed to build a strong sense of community through the arts and the joy of singing.
The concert lineup includes spooky, fun pieces around a Halloween theme (Oct 28-29); a traditional Christmas celebration with a sing-along component (Dec 17); an inspirational afternoon of oratorio masterpieces (March 18); and a spirited selection of beloved folksongs of our American heritage (May 19-20).
“The time we live in has the most eclectic repertory you can ever imagine from around the world,” says Music Director Gregory Wait. “We don’t have enough time to experience all of it, so limiting the selection to four programs is a challenge, but I know the audience will thoroughly enjoy the concerts they hear Schola perform this season.”
He chose choral works that have significant inspiration and entertainment appeal, mixing familiar pieces with newer compositions.
For the season opener, audiences will “experience how Halloween is celebrated choral-style” at the musically macabre concert, Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls, featuring both classical and popular idioms—including spirituals, opera, folk, musical theater and a spirited rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Concertgoers are encouraged to come in costume. Saturday, Oct 28, 7:30 pm, at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, and Sunday, Oct 29, 3:00 pm, at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.
Warmest Christmas Traditions is a collection of best-loved arrangements of the season, with an audience sing-along woven throughout the program. Described by Wait as “music that’s like sitting in front of a burning yule log,” the concert is geared to “build unity in the community through singing about peace, joy, and goodwill.” Sunday, Dec 17, 3:00 pm, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Audiences will get a taste of Handel’s “Messiah,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” and Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” among other selections of sacred works, at Hallelujah! Oratorio Masterpieces and Favorites. Accompanied by Sinfonia Schola Cantorum, “the glory of this concert is that we’ll be able to perform these works the way they’re intended, with a full orchestra,” says Wait. Sunday, Mar 18, 2018, 3:00 pm, at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.
Celebrating American Folksongs gives new treatments to “familiar songs we sang as kids,” according to Wait. Kirke Mechem’s humorous collection of folksongs will be included, as well as a suite arranged by Brian Holmes on commission for Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley and the Oxford Street Brass. Saturday, May 19, 2018, 7:30 pm, at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto. Sunday, May 20, 3:00 pm, at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.
The FlexPass Subscription price for the four-concert season is $92, an 18% savings off at-the-door ticket prices.
Season subscribers receive ticket discounts, invitations to exclusive receptions, reserved up-front seating, complimentary tickets to the October and May concerts, and a free “invite-a-friend” concert pass. Subscription tickets may be used for any of the four concerts.
To subscribe to the season, visit ScholaCantorum.org, or call (650) 254-1700.
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