Everett Chorale to honor U.S. history with songs of freedom
Published 1:30 am Friday, March 31, 2017
The Everett Chorale, one of Snohomish County’s top choral groups, is looking for new members in anticipation of its trip to New York City in May 2018 to sing at Carnegie Hall under the direction of composer John Rutter.
It’s a big deal, said chorale spokeswoman Heather Burke.
Singers interested in joining the Everett Chorale might want to attend its concert Sunday afternoon at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
The concert, “Songs and Stories of Freedom,” celebrates the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and honors U.S. history. Narrated by Joel Mattson, the performance will include sacred music by Martin Luther, J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn as well as traditional American songs and spirituals from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras.
The centerpiece of the concert will be “Psalm 42,” a sacred cantata by Mendelssohn. The piece features well-known Everett soprano Lori Williams (recently heard on the KING-FM 98.1 Northwest Focus Live radio program), and the quintet Common Ground — Patrick Castro, Joel and John Cummings, Tom Lafferty and Jeff Thorson — who are featured in a selection of spirituals.
Other titles on the program include “A Revolutionary Portrait” by Robert De Cormier and “Abraham Lincoln: A Lasting Peace” by Audrey Snyder.
Another reason to join the chorale is that the 2017-18 season will be longtime director Lee Mathews’ last. To learn more about getting involved, email Mathews at lrmjr2@aol.com. Regular rehearsals are 7 p.m. Mondays at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 215 Mukilteo Blvd., in Everett.
The chorale’s current season finale on June 4 is “Songs &Stories from Broadway,” featuring tunes from the musicals “Showboat,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oliver!” and “West Side Story.”
If you go
Everett Chorale, with soprano Lori Williams and Common Ground, 3 p.m. April 2, Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. Tickets — $20 general admission, $17 for seniors, students and military — are available by calling 425-257-8600.
