EVERETT — The Everett Chorale has reached its golden year.
Under the direction of Lee Mathews, the 70-voice chorale is celebrating its 50th anniversary season.
Mathews has been with the chorale for nearly half its tenure as Everett’s premiere choir, a cornerstone of the local performing arts scene. The chorale had its start in the 1960s at Everett Community College.
Longtime soprano Diane Giese likes to sing the praises of the chorale and her experiences with the musical group.
“The chorale is a wonderful outlet for people who want to work with an experienced director. Lee knows how to pick a variety of wonderful music each season,” Giese said. “This 50th anniversary year is a great time for people to join the chorale.”
Concerts, to be performed at 7 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays this year at the Everett Performing Arts Center, include:
“Celebrate and Dance” on Dec. 5 and 6.
“Celebrate and Shout” on April 16 and 17.
“Celebrate and Sing” on June 11 and 12.
The December concert will feature a cantata of contemporary carols in Medieval musical style written by Lloyd Pfautsch for choral voices, wind ensemble and percussion, along with Christmas music with dance themes including “And the Father Will Dance” by Mark Hayes. The Dance School of Everett and the Choral Arts Wind and Percussion Ensemble plus two pianists will join the chorale for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” with lyrics by Harry Simeone.
The April concert will feature “Mass for the Children” by world-renowned British composer John Rutter. This performance will feature soprano soloist Linda Tsatsanis, baritone Ryan Bede, the Choral Arts Chamber Orchestra and the Snohomish County Children’s Choir, which recently merged with the Everett Chorale organization. Other pieces to be performed include the gospel song “Sing and Shout Together, Children” by Mary McDonald.
The final season concert in June will feature a collage of favorite American choral music that the chorale has performed over the past 50 years. Composers whose works will be performed include Randall Thompson, Aaron Copland, Ed Harris, Eugene Butler and Carol Sams. Also planned is the world premiere of a commissioned piece by local composer Ken Kraintz. Previous chorale members in the audience will be invited to participate and there will be an opportunity for audience to sing along as well.
For information about tickets, go to www.everettchorale.org.
Mathews said he is excited about the joint venture with Snohomish County Children’s Choir.
The kids’ group was founded in 1999 by Shelley Logan. Under her leadership, the choir traveled to perform in the United Kingdom, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
After Logan retired, the chorale board offered to help keep the award-winning children’s choir going. Chorale member Diana Lawrence, a retired music teacher from Granite Falls, was hired to conduct the group. Susan Larsen is the accompanist.
The children’s choir, with three sections for different age groups from 5 through 18, begins its fall rehearsals on Sept. 1 at the Northwest Music Hall at the Everett Mall.
For information about the Snohomish County Children’s Choir go to www.snohomishcountychildrenschoir.com.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
More info
For information about tickets to Everett Chorale concerts, go to www.everettchorale.org.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
