Choral Arts Society to perform in NYC
By Lee B. Roberts
April 29, 2009
The Big Apple. Gotham City. Mighty Manhattan. No matter which name it goes by, New York is considered one of the greatest cities in the world, and one of the things that makes it great is its incredibly rich artistic and cultural heritage.
When it comes to music alone, New York City is a mecca where just about every genre and style can be heard, performed by many of the biggest names in the business. It is no wonder, then, that members of the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin are excited for the opportunity to go to New York to perform in one of it's most famous venues - Avery Fisher Hall at historic Lincoln Center. The Racine-based symphonic chorus, which is directed by James Schatzman, was recently invited by Distinguished Concerts International to participate in a performance of composer Glenn Burleigh's "Nguzo Saba Suite" on March 14 at the center. Members of the CAS will join other outstanding choruses selected from around the world to form a festival chorus, which will perform Burliegh's work under the direction of James Kinchen, professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
The opportunity is one that is very close to Schatzman's and Kinchen's hearts, as both were friends and collaborators with the Oklahoma City-based composer who died suddenly in December of 2007. The "Nguzo Saba Suite," a seven-movement set of songs and text that celebrates Kwanzaa, is one of the last pieces Burleigh wrote. It was originally commissioned by Kinchen for his university choirs and has been performed by the CAS here in Racine.
"We are so close to this work," Schatzman said. "I am excited about being able to take it to a new level. I am also grateful for James (Kinchen) and his confidence in us to do this."
Kinchen, who has taken choral groups to perform in New York City before at Carnegie Hall, will serve as the clinician for the choral residency leading up to the concert, as well as the guest conductor.
"This is a real honor," said Schatzman, who founded the CAS 22 years ago. "You dream about things like this and wonder how it can happen."
Before the chorus can go to New York, however, it needs to raise funds for the five-day trip. If you'd like to help, consider one of these two options which will not only lend a financial hand, but offer you some good eats along the way. On Friday night, the chorus is hosting a special ice cream social/fundraiser after its Focus on Folk concert at St. Luke's Episcopal Church (for more about the concert go to http://www.choralartsonline.org or see story on Page 3B). Money raised from the sale of scoops and sundaes will go toward the NYC trip, and you can listen to aspiring singer/songwriters who will perform during an open mic session while you eat.
If you prefer savory over sweet, mark your calendar for May 26. That's when the CAS will benefit from a percentage of the food sales at the Yardarm Bar & Grill, 920 Erie St. All you have to do is go and enjoy some of the Yardarm's fish, burgers, ribs, sand dollars etc. "The more people we bring in, the higher the food sales and the higher the percentage the Yardarm will donate," Schatzman says. "We need to pack them in."
For more about how you can help the CAS get to NYC, call Schatzman at (262) 634-3250.
|
