Concerts showcase men’s chorus, young musicians’ talents

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 16, 2016

The Christmas concert season continues this weekend as the Seattle Men’s Chorus makes its annual seasonal appearance on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Everett Civic Auditorium.

Then on Sunday, Dec. 18, the Mukilteo Community Orchestra offers another of its free concerts at Rosehill Community Center, this time featuring five of the region’s top young musicians.

The Snohomish County Music Teachers Association has selected the winners of its annual concerto competition, and the orchestra will be accompanying these award-winning students in an afternoon of concertos.

“These students represent an amazing group of talented young people who are dedicating themselves to exceptional performance,” said Trevor Lutzenhiser, conductor and artistic director, in a press release. “Our orchestra members are delighted to be accompanying them.”

Vincent Chen will perform the first movement of the Haydn “Piano Concerto in F Major.” Vincent began playing piano at age 5 under the guidance of Tien-Yin Chen. He is a sixth grade student at Odle Middle School in Bellevue.

Christopher Erling will perform the first movement of the Ravel “Piano Concerto in G Major.” A piano student of Judy Baker, he has won many state competitions. Erling is a recent graduate of Glacier Peak High School and now studies at Cascadia College.

Stephen Binondo will perform the second and third movements of the Chopin “Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor.” Another student of Judy Baker, Stephen is home schooled through Enlightium Christian Academy.

Adrienna Tran-Pearson will perform the second movement of the Rachmaninoff “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor.” A junior at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, she has been studying piano since age 5. She is a piano student of Gail Tremblay.

Kyle Ness will perform Rutter’s “Suite Antique” for flute, movements 1, 2 and 3. An enthusiastic performer, Ness is a student of Iris Ingram. He also plays piano and plays flute with the Cascade Youth Symphony, for which he will tour Europe next year. Ness is a junior at Everett Community College.

The Seattle Men’s Chorus brings its new artistic director Paul Caldwell up to Everett for its “Silver and Soul” concert.

The 250-voice choir will be singing classics, such as “Sleigh Ride” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” The concert will mix in a tender David Bowie tribute, complete with a clever karaoke sing-along. Traditional favorite “Silent Night” returns, along with sassy new holiday tunes that get topped off with a spectacular disco Santa finale.

For close to four decades the chorus has presented its special blend of song, dance and campy comedy to the Northwest. Caldwell, the new director, “brings an inspired energy, filling this year’s concert offerings with rich tones of gospel and soul that reflect his Southern roots,” a spokeswoman said.

The internationally renowned Seattle Men’s Chorus (founded 1979) and Seattle Women’s Chorus (founded 2002) comprise the largest community chorus organization in North America.

If you go

Seattle Men’s Chorus “Silver and Soul”

8 p.m. Dec. 17, Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets are $25-45, available at www.seattlechoruses.org or at 206-388-1400.

Mukilteo Community Orchestra “Young Artists Concert”

2 p.m. Dec. 18, Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. Free. More information available at www.mukilteoorchestra.org.