Subject: The Holland Chorale's Winter Concert 

Note: The Following Information presents the Holland Chorale's Winter Concert Performance 
on Sunday, January 28th, 3:30 pm, at St. Francis de Sales Church, Holland, MI

Contact: Mr. Gary Bogle Mr. David Beattie
Artistic Director Communications Director
The Holland Chorale The Holland Chorale
150 East 8th Street 616.494.0256 *8214
Holland MI, 49423 email: dcb@bcommadv.com
616.494.0256 x *825 (Cell: 616.836.0042)
www.hollandchorale.org
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Winter Concert
Sunday, January 28, 2007 
3:30 PM Concert
St. Francis De Sales Church, Holland
Tickets:      Adult: $17.00   Senior: $ 14.00   Student:  $ 5.00

The Holland Chorale opens the new year with the lyrical Renaissance style of a triple-chorus Giovanni Gabrieli  (1551-1612) work written for the St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The musical style of the Venetian school at the end of the 16th Century was considered generally more festive than the predominantly sacred style of the Roman school. While this particular piece is a cappella, the Venetian  approach to church music of the day also placed greater emphasis on the use of instruments to complement the works. Giovanni is remembered for expanding the palette of tonal colors in choral music, which reflected the Renaissance splendor of Venice itself.

Other featured pieces include Franz Biebl's magnificant Ave Maria. Considered one of the most respected figures of 20th century German choral music, Biebl composed his Ave Maria in 1964. In fact, Biebl, a German prisoner of war in 1944, was interned at Ft. Custer near Battle Creek where he "learned a little bit of American life and democracy." Biebl was allowed to arrange a choir and put together concerts with soloists and chamber music. Ave Maria became hugely popular in this country after being recorded in the 90s by Chanticlear. The piece reflects Biebl's characteristic tenderness, clarity, and simplicity of form. 

American Composer Samuel Barber's Agnus Dei was originally written as a second movement of a string quartet in 1936 and later arranged it for a string orchestra as well as for organ/piano and voice. Agnus Dei became Barber's most popular work and an unofficial anthem of mourning, played most notably after the deaths of Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. While often remembered for his Adagio for Strings, the compositions for voice are a significant part of his body of work, with a unique ability for writing sustained and flowing melodies of intense, emotional impact.

Composer, arranger, recording artist and music educator Greg Jasperse is a Chicago resident who has written commissioned works for the American Boy Choir, the Chicago Children's Choir as well as teaching at several show choir and jazz camps throughout the US and Canada. His arrangement of William Henry Monk's (1823-1899) Abide With Me has become a choral favorite throughout the world. Greg lists among his credits teaching at Western Michigan University's Vocal Jazz Camp, and enjoys his work as a clinician as well as a guest artist at various music festivals throughout the year.

Additional works include choral sacred and gospel favorites like King Jesus is A-listening, Beside Still Waters, All My Trials Lord, Soon and Very Soon and Beautiful Savior. These outstanding choral texts find an accomodating venue in the fine acoustical space of St. Francis De Sales Church on 14th and Pine in Holland. The Holland Chorale looks forward to offering an afternoon of choral music designed to delight and inspire listeners of all ages.


Tickets are available in advance at the Holland Area Arts Council.  Call Jayne Philipps at 494-0256 (then press *814). 
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Background:

The Holland Chorale

Now celebrating its 47th Season, the Holland Chorale has thrilled audiences with its range of talent as well as its musical fare. From traditional vocal music standards to rousing show tunes, the Holland Chorale is one of western Michigan’s longest continually running musical entertainment experiences, offering a variety of singing, dancing and playing, all delivered with an engaging level of energy, variety and excitement for all ages and audiences.