Eugene Concert Choir

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Eugene Concert Choir
Origin Eugene, Oregon, USA
Genre(s) Classical
Years active 1975–present
Associated acts Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble
Website www.eugeneconcertchoir.org

Eugene Concert Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit choral organization based in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It consists of two mixed-voice choruses: the 100-member Eugene Concert Choir (ECC), and the semi-professional chamber group Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble (EVAE). The organization is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, which is the primary performance venue for the choirs. The EVAE also regularly performs at other venues, such as the Shedd Institute. ECC frequently collaborates with the Oregon Mozart Players.

Contents

[edit] Repertoire

[edit] ECC

ECC's focus is on performing choral masterworks, such as Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Berlioz's Requiem, and Handel's Messiah. On April 26, 2008, directed by guest conductor Zvonimir Hačko, the choir presented the American premiere of the Croatian Mass, a 2004 work by the pre-eminent Croatian composer Igor Kuljerić.[1][2]

ECC often ligtens the concert season by presenting more popular fare in its mid-season concerts.[3] Past performances have included shows titled The Big Band Era and The Sixties.

[edit] EVAE

EVAE performs works more appropriate for a chamber group. These range from Renaissance motets, Romantic art songs, to 20th century jazz and new age music. In 2007, it performed a voice-only arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody, which was originally recorded by the English rock band Queen. This was also the choir's first performance at the new Richard E. Wildish Community Theater in Springfield, Oregon[4].

[edit] History

ECC was founded in 1975. It was originally called the Eugene Community Chorus. Dr. Diane Retallack joined the organization and became its artistic director in 1985. The EVAE was formed by her in the spring of 1986.

[edit] Personnel

  • Artistic and Executive director: Dr. Diane Retallack.
  • Marketing and Development consultant: Darrel Kau

The organization is also served by a board of directors and many volunteers.

[edit] Discography

  • Holiday Joy, a collection of Christmas songs, as well as excerpts from Handel's Messiah
  • American Spirit, an exploration of the wide variety of musical styles of 20th century composers and arrangers from North America

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Concert at the Hult Center: Voices of Eastern Europe.
  2. ^ Marilyn Farwell (April 29, 2008). Eugene choir soars in unfamiliar territory. The Register-Guard.
  3. ^ The choir generally gives 4-6 performances a year. The mid-season concert is usually in February or March.
  4. ^ Keefer, Bob (The Register-Guard). Wildish Theater and EVAE review.

[edit] External links

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