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Welcome to the our 76th season! It is my great pleasure to write to you, my dear friends, about the highlights.
On November 5, 2011, we proudly joined the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, and the University of West Florida Singers to present “Remembering 9/11.” The Saenger Theatre concert honored the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We performed On the Transmigration of Souls by American composer John Adams with Pensacola Symphony music director Dr. Peter Rubardt conducting.
We will present our traditional holiday masterwork, Handel’s Messiah, on December 3, 2011. This year’s featured soloists are local favorites soprano Carla Connors, tenor Leo Day, and baritone Patrick Jacobs. We are also very happy to welcome back FSU voice professor and mezzo-soprano Wanda Brister-Rachwal.
On March 24, 2012, we will perform Beethoven’s Mass in C and Choral Fantasy. Pianist Anne Gajda joins us for Choral Fantasy. The quartet of vocal soloists is soprano Sheila Murphy, mezzosoprano Anne Duraski, tenor Leo Day, and bass-baritone Mark Walters. All four of these singers are well known to local audiences, and we are pleased to have them together for this concert.
The final concert on May 5, 2012, will feature contrasting 20thcentury music. The Choral Society will perform Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms accompanied by the First City Winds, and the Pensacola State College Chorale will sing contemporary American music. The second half of the concert will be much lighter, with the First City Winds performing Broadway tunes and the PensacolaState College Jazz Choir “Entertainers” offering vocal jazz music. This evening should be most enjoyable.
The Choral Society of Pensacola has a long, rich history of presenting music ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary. Besides our annual four-concert season, we frequently collaborate with other music organizations, improving our artistry, expanding our repertoire, and continuing our outreach and education program. Less than a split-second for the universe, 76 years is not a short time for a music organization. 76 years has involved a great deal of love, dedication, passion, enthusiasm, professionalism, and support from generations of chorus members, board members, and staff in addition to the support of those who love the music. I am honored and proud to be a part of this organization, and I will do my best to lead this wonderful chorus as we continue our rich heritage!
Many, many thanks to you for your support!
Xiaolun Chen Artistic Director