posted by Anita Hahn
Our choir, The Choral Arts Society of Utah is lucky enough to have the privilege of performing once a year in Abravanel Hall.
Performing a concert there is always a thrill. It is an amazing concert hall and the home of the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Several years ago, when Sterling changed it to two nights, I was concerned because of the 300 mile round trip drive. Not only for two nights performing, but for the mandatory two rehearsals that week as well. But I made my peace, found a place to stay overnight, with one of my daughters in the area, and enjoyed myself.
Sterling, our conductor, is very talented at picking out the songs, arranging for a good mix of guest performers and making up a very wonderful program that seems to reach every member of the audience and choir in many different levels.
This year we sang to a practically packed house two nights in a row. We had several guest performers, Joshua Creek, Joseph Paur, Jessica Poulson, Jenny Simmons and Dave Beecher.
Joshua Creek is, in their words, "a unique blend of country-esque music and inspirational lyrics of faith." Their harmony is beautiful, and they have a fun sense of humor to add to the mix. Not normally a fan of country music, I really enjoyed their sound and their lyrics. My favorite song was Flying to Freedom. We got to sing along with them in two of their numbers. They orchestrated and arranged it for SATB. It has a John Denver feel to the song, and has me singing it over and over in my head.
Joseph Paur is best known for his role in the Feature Films for Families musical Rigoletto. His classically trained voice is perfect for the part, and he reprised two of the songs from the movie in the concert.
Singing with Joseph was Jessica Poulson. Jessica sang beautifully in a solo, then a duet with Joseph. Jessica is Sterling's daughter, and you couldn't have seen a prouder look on his face as he directed the orchestra accompaniment.
Another highlight was when two of our choir members sang solos. It was so fun to see them standing up there and sounding so perfect. Jenny Simmons and Dave Beecher sang the solos from Showboat in a medley. Jenny's perfect soprano voice carried us all away, back to that era. And Dave Beecher's wonderful low bass was perfect for Old Man River.
Donny Gilbert wrote a piece especially for this concert, entitled Celebration '47. His work is always amazing, he is a genius.
The main reason I joined the Choral Arts Society of Utah, was to sing in a four part choir, and because of our weekly practices, I am singing all the time. The music Sterling picks is always beautiful and uplifting. The opportunities we have been given because we are members of this choir are beyond anything I had ever dreamed of.
Saturday's performance went off perfectly. There were no mistakes, well except a tiny part where I totally forgot how my part sounded and I just mouthed it. shhh don't tell Sterling.
The audiences were amazing. They really make a difference. It is such a thrill to look out and see their faces smiling back, hands clapping to the music and responding to us. We end up playing off each other. The more enthused they are, the more responsive we become. I found myself surprised at the intermission and end of each program, thinking, "Already?" The only downer is handing in that music. I sort of want to keep it near me and go over the words again as I sing to myself.
At the end of every single concert, I say to myself, "That was the BEST concert I have EVER been in, there is NO WAY Sterling can top this!" But he does. I am just so thrilled to be a part of it.
Thank you Sterling. You are amazing.
~a
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
A Memorial Day to remember[A picture of the “Kneeling Ceremony” and some extracts are taken from an article in the West Valley Journal By Caroline Kingsley, May 21, 2009]
At rehearsal on 19 May 2009, sixty-five members of the Choral Arts Society of Utah committed to attend the Memorial Day concert. The actual number performing numbered seventy-two, (72) in formal dress attire. The day was sunny and perfect for the ceremonies. An Apache helicopter made a landing and another made a “fly-by” in the midst of a prayer. There was a large crowd present and a number of children who drew a comment from National
Guard Major General Brian Tarbet regarding “a generation once removed.” There was an impressive “Kneeling Ceremony” as a part of the observance. (See picture below taken from last year.)
Sterling’s Comments:
Thanks again for your participation in another great performance. The Memorial Day Concert was a huge success. I just want to say thank to all of you who gave up time with your families to be there. Thanks to Lin Neff and John Woodbury for getting the chair situation resolved. Thanks to Jackie for sitting on a speaker to play the piano. I am just glad the speaker wasn't plugged in :)
Thanks to those who helped in any way with the event. You're all wonderful and very dedicated, and I am so honored to be your conductor.
Extracts from an article in the West Valley Journal By Caroline Kingsley, 5-21-2009:
The celebration promises to be one of the biggest Memorial Day events in the state, with KSL’s Doug Wright emceeing, the Choral Arts Society of Utah singing and a flyover by the National Guard. The event will pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes, including the three Utahans who lost their lives in the last year. Rabbi Benny Zippel, Army Chaplain Bryce Holbrook and Pastor France Davis will give prayers. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), National Guard Major General Brian Tarbet, Army Major General Peter Cooke and Rick Folkerson, Army Reserve Ambassador to the State of Utah, will be keynote speakers. Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is also expected to attend. The Choral Arts Society of Utah, an 80-member choir directed by Channel 2 Senior Meteorologist Sterling Poulson, will perform The National Anthem, “God Bless America” and “From Sea to Shining Sea” as well as “Amazing Grace” with the Utah Pipe Band. There will also be an unveiling of the new National Guard Apache helicopter memorial, which recently was constructed in honor of the two Apache helicopter pilots, Chief Warrant Officer Clayton Barnes and Chief Warrant Officer James Linder, who died on Aug. 20, 2007 in an Apache helicopter crash during a routine training mission near Eagle Mountain. The event will start at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25 at the Military Services. [Note: everything went as publicized in this article.]
“Gold” and “Blue” Star Mothers
From the information department: When Army Major General Peter Cooke referred to “Gold” and “Blue” Star Mothers, there was the undercurrent in the Choir, asking the difference between the two. The website Wikopedia provides this answer:
Shortly after World War I the Gold Star Mothers Club was formed in the United States to provide support for mothers that lost sons or daughters in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the military. A blue star represented living servicemen, and a gold star represented those who had lost their lives.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Armed Forces Day, Murray Park
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Armed Forces Day, Murray Park
Armed Forced Day in Murray Park is an annual event and the community packs the outdoor amphitheater to standing room only each year. To the delight of the crowd, the military handed out popsicles during the program.
The choir is thrilled each year to join with the 23rd Army Band in the performance.
This year several people retiring from the Armed Forces were honored, including Peter Cook from Ft. Douglas and the beloved commander of the 23rd Army Band, J. Michael Cottam, as well.
The mayor of Murray, Dan Snarr was there and spoke. Sterling Poulson did a great job as the Master of Ceremonies. Those who have served in the military, past and present were honored and asked to stand as their theme was sung in a rousing rendition of Armed Forced Salute.
The choir sang and the Band played patriotic songs. After dark a fireworks display was enjoyed by all.
Comments from Sterling regarding the performance:
“Thank again to all of you for another great performance. I was thrilled that we had 88 singers on the stage. Your quality of performance continues to get better and better, and you were a smash hit Saturday night. . .
. . .It turned out to be a fabulous event, and we are on for next year!”
Armed Forces Day, Murray Park
Armed Forced Day in Murray Park is an annual event and the community packs the outdoor amphitheater to standing room only each year. To the delight of the crowd, the military handed out popsicles during the program.
The choir is thrilled each year to join with the 23rd Army Band in the performance.
This year several people retiring from the Armed Forces were honored, including Peter Cook from Ft. Douglas and the beloved commander of the 23rd Army Band, J. Michael Cottam, as well.
The mayor of Murray, Dan Snarr was there and spoke. Sterling Poulson did a great job as the Master of Ceremonies. Those who have served in the military, past and present were honored and asked to stand as their theme was sung in a rousing rendition of Armed Forced Salute.
The choir sang and the Band played patriotic songs. After dark a fireworks display was enjoyed by all.
Comments from Sterling regarding the performance:
“Thank again to all of you for another great performance. I was thrilled that we had 88 singers on the stage. Your quality of performance continues to get better and better, and you were a smash hit Saturday night. . .
. . .It turned out to be a fabulous event, and we are on for next year!”
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A Synergetic Concert
Noun 1. Synergy - the working together of two or more things to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.
The Interfaith Music Festival held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 19, 2009 was a marvelous experience. Janice Maughn did an excellent job in organizing this event under the direction of the Sandy City Arts Council. There was a spirit of harmony and accord among the participants. One might wish that with all the divergent doctrines and some acrimonious associations, more such occasions would occur. More good will and peace would result from focusing on our common good—harmony is a beautiful thing both in music and relations. The different styles, selections, and presentation of the eight Choirs provided a rich experience for all. It was reported that Jerold Ottley was present in the overflow audience. Mr. Ottley was music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1974 to 1999. Sterling reported that not only was he was there but also came up after the concert with great praise for the entire evening.
The Choral Arts Society was well represented for our two numbers: Seeds Grow to Plants, (John Rutter) and From Sea to Shining Sea, (arr. By Maurice Whitney). The number of participants numbered seventy-nine, (79). Sterling Poulson seemed to draw extra effort from the Choir while Lois Manning worked her “magic” on the keyboard.
The Choral groups participating included: St. James Episcopal Church, The Choir “L’Chaim,” Chorus of Sandy City, Community of Grace Presbyterian Church, Crescent South Stake L.D.S. Church, Hilltop Chancel Choir, and The Choral Arts Society of Utah. Sterling directed the Combined Choirs in two powerful and concluding numbers: Festival Piece on “Saint Anne” (Eugene Butler) and Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Mack Wilberg). It is my opinion that each Choir member came away feeling that our performance was on a par with dare I say, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir!
The Interfaith Music Festival held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 19, 2009 was a marvelous experience. Janice Maughn did an excellent job in organizing this event under the direction of the Sandy City Arts Council. There was a spirit of harmony and accord among the participants. One might wish that with all the divergent doctrines and some acrimonious associations, more such occasions would occur. More good will and peace would result from focusing on our common good—harmony is a beautiful thing both in music and relations. The different styles, selections, and presentation of the eight Choirs provided a rich experience for all. It was reported that Jerold Ottley was present in the overflow audience. Mr. Ottley was music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1974 to 1999. Sterling reported that not only was he was there but also came up after the concert with great praise for the entire evening.
The Choral Arts Society was well represented for our two numbers: Seeds Grow to Plants, (John Rutter) and From Sea to Shining Sea, (arr. By Maurice Whitney). The number of participants numbered seventy-nine, (79). Sterling Poulson seemed to draw extra effort from the Choir while Lois Manning worked her “magic” on the keyboard.
The Choral groups participating included: St. James Episcopal Church, The Choir “L’Chaim,” Chorus of Sandy City, Community of Grace Presbyterian Church, Crescent South Stake L.D.S. Church, Hilltop Chancel Choir, and The Choral Arts Society of Utah. Sterling directed the Combined Choirs in two powerful and concluding numbers: Festival Piece on “Saint Anne” (Eugene Butler) and Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Mack Wilberg). It is my opinion that each Choir member came away feeling that our performance was on a par with dare I say, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir!
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