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, 2005 - Brahms' Requiem

This work is also known as the German Requiem and was first performed in 1868. Brahms, only 28 at the time, had recently felt the terrible death of his mentor, Schumann, and soon after that, his mother's death. Rejections of job applications and rejection by the love of his life, Clara Schumann, put in place the emotional prerequisites necessary for such an effort. Those factors and Brahms' melancholy disposition, produced one of the deepest and most beautiful choral works ever written. The scripture passages offer hope, comfort, and the enveloping love of a caring parental figure.

This performance of The German Requiem, performed with orchestra and conducted by Dr. Smith, included soloists, Beth Holder, soprano, and Scott Clausen, baritone. Narrators included David Foster and Hope Harrington.

April, 2005 - "to Hope!" A Celebration by Dave Brubeck

This Mass, in the revised Roman Ritual, composed by Dave Brubeck, uses a blended style of jazz and classical. "To Hope!" seems deliberately one movement after the next to personalize the Eucharist. The ancient word for communion, Eucharist, is translated as "thankful". The two directions that this great piece can take are one that is strictly artistic and musical or one of a deepening of faith. The ideal is a combination of both - as it was intended. Cantors weew Patty Rubin and Jorge Alvarez.

Soloists included Beth Holder and Lissa Barnes (sopranos), Joyce DeLaurentis and Jane Worm (altos), Ed Nordby and Joel Stobeck (tenors) and Jonathan West (bass). \

The jazz quartet included Warren Kellerhouse, piano; Cam Collins, alto sax; Fred Giles, bass; and Tom Clark, drums.

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.