2011-2012 Concert Season

A Study in Contrasts

Date/Time: Saturday, October 8, 2011, 7:30 PM
Venue: Foundry United Methodist Church at 8350 Jones Road at Highway 290, Houston, Texas

Mozart’s Requiem
Guest soloists: Melissa Givens, soprano; Alejandra Pizaña, mezzo; John Weinel, tenor; Leon Turner, bass

Vaughan Williams’ Benedicite
Soloist: Karen Crandon, soprano

The Houston Choral Society will begin its 2011–2012 season by bringing back a classic composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Choral Society has performed the Mozart Requiem four times during the 23 years it has been producing concerts. This is the first time, however, that the singers have performed the Vaughan Williams Benedicite. Each piece is a study in contrasts.

The Benedicite includes striking rhythmic and key changes mixed with beautifully lyrical melodic passages accompanying a soaring soprano line that invokes praise to God for his great and beautiful creation. The Benedicite is probably the most important and masterful effort by Vaughan Williams and must be judged among the composer’s finest choral compositions.

The Mozart Requiem has been clothed in mystery from its inception to a culmination of the legend in the highly-popular movie “Amadeus.” This movie created a (not so accurate!) plot centering on the “dark stranger” who reportedly approached Mozart with the commission to write the Requiem. Mozart’s music has been described as being at once light and graceful as well as dark and passionate.

Please join us at 7:00 PM for an informative pre-concert lecture.

A Christmas Potpourri

Date/Time: Saturday, December 3, 2011, 7:30 PM
Venue: Foundry United Methodist Church located at 8350 Jones Road at Highway 290, Houston, Texas

Our recipe for a feast of Christmas music—a little bit of very old or very new classical music, a pinch of jolly fun songs, a dash of sing-alongs, and a large cupful of popular traditional favorites—has in past years left our audiences in the spirit of joy and glad tidings.

This year will vary slightly from the recipe with the exciting Houston premiere of Magnificat by New York composer Arnold Rosner, who will attend the performance. We will also introduce our audience to the interesting “Lux Aurumque” by Eric Whitacre.

This concert will conclude with the “back-by-popular demand” of both “O Holy Night” with soloist Ramona Lewis-Holland and the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Messiah. This recipe, plus a plateful of Christmas goodies and Christmas carols played by a brass quartet at the traditional reception, has made this concert a “must-mark-your calendar!” occasion for audience members.
Please join us for our annual holiday reception after the concert.

Let Music Live: A Salute to the Future of Music

Date/Time: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 7:30 PM
Venue: Foundry United Methodist Church at 8350 Jones Road at Highway 290, Houston, Texas

As The Houston Choral Society concludes its 2011–2012 concert season, we want to honor public school choir directors who dedicate their lives to making music “live” in the hearts of our children. Our world struggles with economic stress that presents financial challenges to state leaders and local school districts, and many school music programs are being threatened. We must not forget people find peace and encouragement in music — especially, in making music with others. There is healing power in music, in being vulnerable enough to express emotions, and in joining together to produce such joy.

This concert includes works from composers Morton Lauridsen, Adolphus Hailstork, Randall Thompson, and John Rutter, along with the powerful words of Kahlil Gibran, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and William Shakespeare. We hope you will support our efforts to showcase the beauty and power of singing together, and also support dedicated public school choir directors who are giving our children the opportunity to experience this joy.

Please join us at 7:00 PM for an informative pre-concert lecture.