Each summer as I begin the repertoire search and planning process that precedes a new season, I find it helpful to revisit our programs from previous seasons. I have been immersed in this annual process for a while now, and am once again struck by the scope of the programs we've been able to offer our area singers and audiences. One of our goals each year is to satisfy all the lovers of choral music in our area while at the same time enticing non-listeners into our concerts as well and, hopefully, creating new converts to this rich world of music-making. Our concerts are not just for the musical connoisseur. We like to think that everyone who has ears and a heart will be deeply moved by what they hear. In a world of constant mayhem, filled with endless news loops of the darkest of dark sides, we choose instead to celebrate all that is great and wonderful, generous and open-hearted about humankind. To our minds, nothing can do this quite as effectively as choral singing: beautiful voices singing beautifully together to texts of great depth and character.
Our 21st Season!
Our 2010-2011 season will be our 21st! In our 20 past seasons we have grown from a choir of some 30 singers to an umbrella organization of six choirs, four for children and youth and two for adults, with a combined total of over 200 members. The music we have chosen for this season reflects the variety, energy, passion, and joy-in-singing that have been the hallmarks of The Virginia Consort experience from the very beginning.
Our Upcoming Concerts
First to come will be our two Christmas concerts, with candlelight, brass choir, and glorious singing. Our Mid-Season Masterworks concert will feature the extraordinary and impassioned Messa Da Requiem by Giuseppi Verdi, performed by our Festival Chorus with full orchestra and a powerful quartet of soloists. Our final concert of the season will be next May's A Little May Music, which will be our usual eclectic mix of pieces, highlighted by the Consort chamber ensemble singing the Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi. Known mostly for his ground-breaking work with the Baroque concerto form (his group of violin concerti, The Four Seasons, is on most Top-10 Classical Music lists ), the qualities of rhythmic energy, harmonic daring, and exquisite melodic writing enlivens his vocal music as well, making his Gloria setting second only to Handel’s Messiah as a worldwide choral favorite. We treasure our audiences and warmly welcome everyone into our world of choral music making. Please come join us for this exciting season!
Judith Gary