Easton Choral Arts Society

Douglas I. Smith, D.M.A., Artistic Director

"Mass in D" by Anton Dvořák Saturday May 10th, 2008 at 8 pm and Sunday May 11th, 2008 at 3 pm at the Avalon Theatre

2000's

1990's

1980's

November, 2000 - "Christ on the Mount of Olives, Op. 85" The millennium fall concert, performed in the Avalon Theatre, included Beethoven's aria "Soll ein Schuh nicht Drucken" with Patricia Rubin, mezzo soprano, as soloist; the "Choral Fantasy, Op. 80" with M. Ken Takasawa, pianist; soloists: Barbara Roach, Frances Danner, Steve Strobeck and Jonathan West, and Beethoven's only oratorio "Christ on the Mount of Olives, Opus 85", premiering in 1803. This work was based on the gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ preceding his crucifiction. Soloists for this performance included J. Curtis White, tenor; Beth Holder, soprano and Peter Delaney, bass, and were accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra. Douglas I. Smith, DMA was the artistic director and conductor and Michael Rubin was rehearsal pianist.

April 2000 - "Peace in the Millenium"
This concert was presented at the Avalon Theatre as a free concert to the community in appreciation for the community's loyal support over the years. Ralph Vaughn William’s Dona Nobis Pacem (1936) incorporates 3 Walt Whitman poems to dedicate a sense of mourning for lost loved ones and for the loss of a simpler way of life. But it is also about the living and their recovery from the unspeakable horrors of war. The second half of the concert featured lighter better-known music of Bach, Rutter, Casals and a special collection of patriotism and protest music from WWII (White Cliffs of Dover, sung by Robin Bachand and Apple Blossom Time, sung by Ellen Wile, Tracey Phillips and Frances Danner) and the “60’s” (Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, sung by a small group of "hippie" impersonators), and concluded with a medley of patriotic songs. Mike Rubin was the piano accompanist along with Tom Clark, percussion; Lisa Hibble, clarinet; Kevin Darrow, oboe.

Acknowledgements: The Easton Choral Arts Society is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Talbot County Arts Council.