March 6th, 2017 |
CONTACT |
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March 6th, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laura Mason [email protected] 818-591-1735 SOUNDS OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS: Angeles Chorale presents SOUNDS OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS: Bluegrass and Traditions from the Heartland the second concert of its 42nd Season, entitled Made in America, The Sound of the American Spirit LOS ANGELES, Calif. Grab your fiddle, banjo or mandolin, and join the Angeles Chorale as they continue their 42nd season, Made in America, with a visit to the American Heartland. Sounds of the Smoky Mountains: Bluegrass and Traditions from the Heartland promises a “dern tootin’” good time to audiences ready to hear the beautiful choral music that the Angeles Chorale is known for, this time with a country twist. You won’t want to miss this unique concert on Saturday, March 25th at 7:30pm in Pasadena, or their special encore presentation on March 26th at 4pm in Northridge. “This concert features a full night of the music of our country, centered around the heartland. If you don’t like country music, you’ll still love this. There’s something for everyone,” says John Sutton, Conductor and Artistic Director. Sutton says he is thrilled to share “music so authentic,” and a genre of music that is truly “the music of the people.” The audience will be in for a treat, as they get to experience rarely performed pieces such as Carol Barnett’s The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass, which is “structurally like a traditional Latin Mass,” says Sutton, but mashed up with the bluegrass elements, creating a sound all of its own. The piece will be accompanied by fiddle, banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and washboard, for a musical experience unlike any other. The featured bluegrass band is “truly exceptional,” says Sutton, and the concert will also feature guest soloist, Tennessee native Keri Larson, who has recently performed with Kristin Chenoweth and John Tesh, and is heard on Kelly Clarkson’s latest record All I Ever Wanted. Also on the program is the popular folk tune “Shenandoah,” arranged by James Erb, and “Chester,” by William Billings, who is recognized as the first American composer. His piece mixes “choral with folk and early American elements” adds Sutton. Another unique addition to Sounds of the Smoky Mountains will be a barbershop quartet , on “The Chordbuster March” by W.A. Wyatt, led by Conducting Associate, Yasumichi Ichikawa. The concert will also feature works from the feature film, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, and a Nashville cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” which is sure to electrify audiences. John’s Edit: I would change this from above to: Another unique addition to the concert will be a barbershop quartet led by Conducting Associate, Yasumichi Ichikawa. The piece that Yasu is conducting, while amazing is not well known by the name, nor is the composer recognizable. I wouldn’t include it. With such a diverse and original repertoire, it’s clear that “a lot of thought goes into the programming of each concert to make sure there's something for everyone,” says Angeles Chorale Baritone, Bobby Buchanan, who is enjoying his first season with the Angeles Chorale. Buchanan says he is “honored to be a part of Angeles Chorale and its mission for growth and musical excellence.” [s1] This above is missing something: Buchanan continues to say that he is “honored to be a part of Angeles Chorale and its mission for growth and musical excellence.” [s2] Mark your calendar for this exciting concert, jam-packed with the heart and soul of American music, and the spirit of the American people. Says Sutton “This is completely different from anything we’ve ever done. You don’t want to miss this.” Saturday, March 25th , at 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church 500 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA. 91101 AND Sunday, March 26th, at 4:00 p.m. Northridge United Methodist Church 9650 Reseda Blvd. Northridge, CA 91324 $30 if purchased in advance online $35 at the door Student and group discounts available www.angeleschorale.org 818.591.1735 About the Angeles Chorale The Angeles Chorale is an all-volunteer, professional-level, auditioned group of 100 Angelenos from all walks of life, aged 21 to over 80, brought together by our shared passion for great choral music. Our mission is engage, enrich and inspire our audiences, singers, and our diverse community by performing great choral music with a passionate commitment to excellence, and to increase access to and appreciation of choral music in greater Los Angeles. Recent Angeles Chorale performance highlights include A John Williams Celebration with the LA Phil at Disney Hall in 2014, and Barbra Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 2012. In 2014 the chorale appeared with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl in An Evening of Chinese Splendor and in 2015 the Angeles Chorale performed in Distant Words: Music from Final Fantasy at the Microsoft Theater. In December 2015 the Angeles Chorale released An American Christmas, recorded live in concert and featuring works by Morten Lauridsen, Morten Lauridsen, Daniel Pinkham, Alfred Burt, Randol Alan Bass, and other traditional holiday music. 2016-2017 Concert Season: Made in America In our 42nd season, Made in America, the Angeles Chorale brings to life the diverse musical tapestry of America with works both familiar and new. In December, we explored homegrown holiday music by local composers with An L.A. Christmas. The cornerstone piece of our performance included Morten Lauridsen’s Mid-Winter Songs, and our annual candlelight sing-along, a crowd favorite full of the most beloved holiday carols and tunes. Then, in March, we celebrate the American Heartland with Sounds of the Smoky Mountains featuring early American folk music like Shenandoah, and a contemporary bluegrass interpretation of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. Finally, we close out the season with A Musical Bite of the Big Apple. We’ll perform notable pieces by Leonard Bernstein, including Chichester Psalms and selections from West Side Story, as well as other crowd-pleasing Broadway selections. About Artistic Director John Sutton The chorale’s 2016-2017 concert season marks the seventh under Artistic Director Dr. John Sutton. John’s artistic vision for the Angeles Chorale rests on a foundation of choral excellence in performing music of diverse expressions and styles including major works for choir and orchestra, shorter works from the classical choral canon, works by contemporary choral composers, and folk, gospel, world and pop music. He is an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University in the College of Music and the Arts, where he is Director of Choral Activities. ### |
PRESS RELEASESWHAT’S 'NEXT!' A MUSICAL TRAVELOGUE AND SNEAK PREVIEW IN ONE
Angeles Chorale, May 17, 2015 A PERFORMANCE OF HOPE AND LIFE IN CELEBRATION OF A 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON Angeles Chorale, Feb 8, 2015 “MY HEART NEEDS A NIGHT LIKE THIS” Angeles Chorale, Oct 26, 2014 |
