Master Chorale Announces Tenth Anniversary Season

The Connecticut Master Chorale is pleased to announce its concert schedule for 2008-09. Founded and directed by Tina Johns Heidrich, the ensemble of 55 high-caliber vocalists will be celebrating its tenth season of musical excellence.

The annual “Holiday Prelude Concert” on Sunday, November 23, at 3 pm, in St Mary Church in Bethel will feature a variety of music including spirituals, multi-cultural numbers, lullabies, a unique medley of carols and other festive selections accompanied by steel drums and brass ensemble. Composers include John Rutter, John Leavitt, Mack Wilberg, Mark Hayes, Glenn McClure and others.

Karl Jenkins’ new “Stabat Mater,” which was premiered in March 2008 at Liverpool Cathedral, will be presented on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at 3 pm, in St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. “Four American Folk Hymns” by Mack Wilberg will also be a part of this program.

On Saturday, May 16, at 8 pm, the Chorale will celebrate with its “10th Anniversary Concert,” also to be performed at St Rose of Lima Church. This concert will feature highlights from the ten year history of the group and will include favorites selected by fans who are invited to vote on the chorale website.

The March and May concerts will both be accompanied by the Connecticut Master Chorale Orchestra.

This will be a memorable year, especially for charter members who have been a part of the Chorale from the beginning. Charlie Smith of Bethel is a tenor who has participated in every Chorale concert, including those at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and the White House. He comments that singing under “our most gifted director, along with the many talented voices in the group down through the years… has been a thrill.”  

Two other charter members have continued to sing with the group in spite of moving away from Connecticut. Father Fred Curtis, formerly of Southbury and now living in Cambridge, N.Y., drives three hours each way to rehearse every week “for the joy of singing with this group,” he said.

Diane Dexter was a resident of Middlebury when she joined the Chorale, but now lives on Fisher’s Island, N.Y. She says her complicated travel arrangements — which include a ferry ride and a long drive in all sorts of weather — “is worth it because of the exceptional musical choices and leadership from our director, and our always appreciative audiences.”

In addition to the many honors and distinctions enjoyed over the last nine years, the chorale has appeared on ABC TV and their recordings are frequently heard on WMNR Fine Arts Radio.

Newtown residents in the Chorale are Lisa Cedergren, Judy Bolduc, Ginnie Carey, David Jurman, Karen Orzechowski, Nancy Raymond, Pastor Gregory Wismar and Dan Yee.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door for all performances.

For tickets and additional information, call 743-0473 or visit CMChorale.org.