Submitted by Masterworks Choral Ensemble
Join a gala celebration April 16, 2016 as Masterworks Choral Ensemble presents its 35th Anniversary concert. The choir returns to its roots with a performance of choral and orchestral masterpieces that launched the community choir in 1981. It’s a celebration not just of a milestone anniversary, but thanks to strong donor support, an orchestra will once again be sharing the stage with the choir.
To top if off, Gary Witley, long-time Artistic Director of the choir as well as a founding member, will be honored with a “Salute to the Arts” Award for his many contributions to the music scene and music education in the South Sound. Gary has taught music for over 35 years, has written and performed many musicals with his students and has taught over 1,000 students on band and string instruments.
The April performance will include works from the Baroque, Classical and Contemporary periods. For many of the composers’ works highlighted in this concert – Vivaldi, Mozart and Telemann, and Pergolesi, who all lived in the 18th century – the choir’s inception thirty-five years ago is barely the blink of an eye. Vivaldi’s luscious Magnificat was written in the early 1700’s and features glorious choral singing and an orchestra composed primarily of stringed instruments including violins, violas and cellos along with two oboes. Mozart wrote Ave Verum Corpus in 1791 at the request of a choirmaster for Mozart to write something for his choir to sing. Written in just 6 days, the work has become an enduring classic. Pergolesi wrote both sacred and secular works and his Magnificat is notable for its simple beauty and melodic interest.
The contemporary work featured is by Howard Hanson, one of the first 20th century American composers to achieve widespread acclaim. Hanson’s style is anchored firmly in the mid-20th century with complex harmonies and strong rhythm. The work was inspired by excerpts from two poems by Walt Whitman, another quintessential American.
The orchestra performing in this concert has been specially commissioned by well-known Olympia musician, Ian Edlund. A MCE Salute to the Arts Recipient, Edlund is a former Maestro of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, cello player and teacher, retired music specialist from North Thurston School District, and a friend to organizations performing music in the region. Several of the musicians contracted by Edlund are also members of the relatively new South Puget Sound Community Orchestra. Formed in 2014, the orchestra has deep roots in the community. One of the violinists on stage will be Austin Schlichting, a 3rd generation family member of Olympia-area musicians. Some longtime Olympia residents will recognize the name from Fred Schlichting, a former Maestro of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra.
The concert includes a performance by Vadim Pascua on piano. A student of piano teacher Vera Dvorak, and a junior at Olympia High School, Mr. Pascua won MCE’s Youth Music Competition in the High School Category.
The concert begins at 7:30pm. Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults, $21 for Seniors, and $13 for Students, and are on sale now. You may purchase tickets online at Masterworks secure website MCE.org, as well as at the Washington Center Box Office, 512 Washington Street SE, Olympia, 360-753-8586, or online via the Washington Center’s website: Olytix.org.
For more information contact: Sally Alhadeff; 360-349-3635; sallya@scattercreek.com
