Eugene Concert Choir

Eugene Concert Choir
Origin Eugene, Oregon, USA
Genres Classical
Years active 1975–present
Associated acts Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble
Website www.eugeneconcertchoir.org

Eugene Concert Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit choral organization based in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It consists of two mixed-voice choruses: the 100-member Eugene Concert Choir (ECC), and the semi-professional chamber group Eugene Vocal Arts (EVA). The organization is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, which is the primary performance venue for the choirs. EVAE also regularly performs at The University of Oregon's Beall Hall.

The choir undertakes national and international tours every three or four years. The most recent tours were to Australia in 2003, China in 2006, Europe in 2009, and New York City in 2013.[1][2]

Repertoire

Eugene Concert Choir

ECC's focus is on performing choral masterworks, such as Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Berlioz's Requiem, and Handel's Messiah. [3][4] Its most ambitious performance to date is Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, performed on February 25, 2012.[5]

ECC also lightens the concert season by presenting more popular fare.[6] Past performances have included shows titled The Big Band Era, Hot Latin Nights, The Best of Broadway, and British Invasion.

Eugene Vocal Arts

Eugene Vocal Arts or EVA (formally known as Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble or EVAE) performs works more appropriate for a chamber group. These range from Renaissance motets, English madrigals, Romantic art songs, to 20th century jazz, new-age music and contemporary choral music. In 2007, it performed a voice-only arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody, which was originally recorded by the English rock band Queen. This was also the choir's first performance at the new Richard E. Wildish Community Theater in Springfield, Oregon.[7]

In December 2008, after a ten-year hiatus, EVAE brought back their popular "English Madrigal Dinner." Guests were treated to Elizabethan pageantry, song and dance, and a multi-course feast.[8] This event has since converted into a "Renaissance MayFest Dinner," which has many of the same elements, but which focuses on Renaissance music and the coming of springtime.

History

The Eugene Concert Choir was founded in 1975. It was originally called the Eugene Community Chorus. Dr. Diane Retallack joined the organization and became its artistic director in 1985. Retallack went on to form EVAE in the spring of 1986.

Personnel

  • Artistic Director and Conductor : Dr. Diane Retallack
  • Executive director : Sherry Parmater
  • General Manager: Angela Egremont
  • Marketing and Event Assistant: Elizabeth Wells

The organization is also served by a board of directors and many volunteers.

Discography

  • Holiday Joy, a collection of Christmas songs, as well as excerpts from Handel's Messiah
  • American Spirit, an exploration of the wide variety of musical styles of 20th century composers and arrangers from North America
  • A Celtic Christmas, featuring Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols along with Celtic Christmas songs performed with the Willis Clan
  • Shadow and Light, a master work commissioned by the Eugene Concert Choir, composed by Joan Szymko and performed by Eugene Vocal Arts and Eugene Concert Orchestra. This work gives voice to the challenges, courage and loving acceptance of people affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Notes

  1. ↑ "About the Eugene Concert Choir and Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble".
  2. ↑ "American voice".
  3. ↑ "Concert at the Hult Center: Voices of Eastern Europe".
  4. ↑ Farwell, Marilyn (April 29, 2008). "Eugene choir soars in unfamiliar territory". The Register-Guard.
  5. ↑ Farwell, Marilyn (February 27, 2012). "Britten's 'War' Requiem triumphs on all fronts". The Register-Guard.
  6. ↑ The choir generally gives 4-6 performances a year, usually in December, February, and April.
  7. ↑ Keefer, Bob (The Register-Guard). "Wildish Theater and EVAE review".
  8. ↑ "A banquet for a song".
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