Eugene Concert Choir
| Eugene Concert Choir | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Eugene, Oregon, USA |
| Genres | 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 The 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. EVAE also regularly performs at other venues, such as the Shedd Institute and The University of Oregon's Beall Hall. Both groups frequently collaborate with the Oregon Mozart Players.
The choir undertakes national and international tours every three or four years. The most recent tours were to Australia in 2003, China in 2006, Europe in 2009, and New York City in 2013.[1][2]
Repertoire
Concert Choir
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.[3][4] Its most ambitious performance to date is Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, performed on February 25, 2012.[5]
ECC also lightens the concert season by presenting more popular fare.[6] Past performances have included shows titled The Big Band Era, Hot Latin Nights, The Best of Broadway, and British Invasion.
Vocal Arts Ensemble
EVAE performs works more appropriate for a chamber group. These range from Renaissance motets, English madrigals, Romantic art songs, to 20th century jazz, new age music and contemporary choral 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.[7]
In December 2008, after a ten-year hiatus, EVAE brought back their popular "English Madrigal Dinner." Guests were treated to Elizabethan pageantry, song and dance, and a multi-course feast.[8] This event has since converted into a "Renaissance MayFest Dinner," which has many of the same elements, but which focuses on Renaissance music and the coming of springtime.
History
The Eugene Concert Choir 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. Retallack went on to form EVAE in the spring of 1976.
Personnel
- Artistic and Executive director: Dr. Diane Retallack.
- General Manager: Angela Egremont
- Marketing Director: Josh Francis
The organization is also served by a board of directors and many volunteers.
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
- A Celtic Christmas, featuring Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols along with Celtic Christmas songs performed with the Willis Clan
Notes
- ↑ "About the Eugene Concert Choir and Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble".
- ↑ "American voice".
- ↑ "Concert at the Hult Center: Voices of Eastern Europe".
- ↑ Farwell, Marilyn (April 29, 2008). "Eugene choir soars in unfamiliar territory". The Register-Guard.
- ↑ Farwell, Marilyn (February 27, 2012). "Britten’s ‘War’ Requiem triumphs on all fronts". The Register-Guard.
- ↑ The choir generally gives 4-6 performances a year, usually in December, February, and April.
- ↑ Keefer, Bob (The Register-Guard). "Wildish Theater and EVAE review".
- ↑ "A banquet for a song".
External links
- Eugene Concert Choir (official website)