EVERETT — John Rutter’s 40-year-old “Gloria” is one of the finest modern choral cantatas sung at Christmas.
The Everett Chorale, under the direction of Lee Mathews, offers its production of the famous work, with help from the Brass Reflections Quintet and other horns, on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
The volunteer nonprofit community chorale celebrates 50 years next fall.
This is a concert not to be missed.
Members of the chorale, along with other choirs from around the country, performed the “Gloria” 12 years ago in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Rutter, the acclaimed British composer and arranger, conducted.
Everett Chorale soprano Diane Giese is using her music from the 2002 Carnegie Hall performance for the concerts Dec. 6 and 7. Rutter autographed her music and now it’s a treasured possession, she said.
Rutter, who soon will be 70, is considered the foremost living composer of choral music. The chorale’s performance of the “Gloria” is dedicated to the composer, said director Mathews. The concert opens with “A Choral Fanfare,” also by Rutter.
The brass and percussion instrumentalists are an important and integral part of the performance. The trumpets soar and the tympani and trombones add depth to the rhythmic, three-movement “Gloria.”
Ensemble leader George Stewart, who is the principal trumpet player in the Everett Philharmonic and Cascade Symphony orchestras, is joined by fellow quintet members Scott Barnes on percussion and French horn and Bill Park on trombone. Also performing are trumpet players Ed Castro, Dan Schmidt and Jared Sessink, trombonists Todd Schendel and Terry Freeman, Andy Abel on tuba and percussionist Ian Alvarez. D. Kim Croft plays organ and piano with the chorale.
“It’s so wonderful to have professional people come and join us,” Mathews said.
Other pieces on the concert program include a jazzy arrangement of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” along with “Sleigh Bells” and “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays.”
The quintet also plans a short set by themselves, including renditions of “Let it Snow” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
In addition, the Snohomish County Children’s Choir will perform “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Beautiful December.”
And, as always, the audience can expect to sing along with the chorale on several Christmas carols.
“Our audiences love to sing with us,” Mathews said.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
The Everett Chorale and the Brass Reflections Quintet offer the “The Sweet Sounds of Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Tickets are $18 or $16 for seniors, students and military personnel. Call 425-257-8600. More at www.everettchorale.org.
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