Datebook

of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus

June

May

April

June Through the Years

2005

For its third European tour, starting on June 21 and continuing through July 1, the touring choir
of the Symphony Chorus travels to central Italy. Works performed on the tour include:

George Nelson Allen's Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Biebl's Ave Maria; Bruckner's Locus iste
Pompeo Canniciari's Mass in A Minor
Durufle's Ubi caritas
Handel's Thou Art the Glory of Their Strength
Moses Hogan's arrangements of Good News, the Chariot's Comin' and Steal Away
Mendelssohn's Heilig and Lift Thine Eyes
Mozart's Ave verum corpus and Jubilate Deo
Palestrina's Tu es Petrus
Alice Parker & Robert Shaw's arrangement of Wondrous Love
Pitoni's Cantate Domino
Rheinberger's Bleib bei uns
Rossini's O salutaris hostia
Stanford's Beati quorum via
Victoria's Q quam gloriosum
Carl Wiltse's arrangement of O Mary Don't You Weep, along with his setting of O magnum mysterium.

1992

As part of a benefit concert for the Symphony musicians pension fund held on June 17, the
Symphony Chorus sings Hanson's Song of Democracy at DeVos Hall. Actor David Ogden Stiers
conducts the concert.

1963

On June 20, the Symphonic Choir performs Honegger's King David at Calvin Christian
Reformed Church. This concert, the Choir's second, is part of the American Guild of Organists
Regional Convention.

Festival Through the Years
On Sunday, June 7, 1970, The Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir performed at Calder Plaza as part

of Grand Rapids' first Festival of the Arts. This started an ongoing tradition: for most of the next
29 years, the Symphonic Choir (later to become the Symphony Chorus) performed in some
capacity at Festival. Some years, the group sang with the Symphony as part of their program;
some years, the Choir performed a set by themselves. Performance locations ranged from Calder
Plaza (the most frequent location) to DeVos Hall to Park Congregational Church.

Sadly, the Chorus archives do not contain complete records of the Chorus' history at Festival. No
Festival programs after 1977 exist in the archives; also, because of space limitations, surviving
program booklets frequently list only the time and location of the Chorus' performances, not the
works performed. Also, there is no evidence in the archives of any Chorus performances at
Festival in 1972, 1988-1990 and 1992-1996.

Following is all the available information we have about the Symphony Chorus' performance
history at Festival. Special thanks go to former historian George Cheeseman for his dedicated
work on this and all other aspects of the Chorus archive.

Performance on June 5. Works performed:

Copland, I Bought Me A Cat from Old American Songs
Haydn, Achieved Is the Glorious Work and Awake the Harps from The Creation
Vaughan Williams, Antiphon from Five Mystical Songs; Ward, America the Beautiful.

1998

Works performed:

Brahms, Zigeunerlieder
Ward, America the Beautiful

1997

no further information

1991

no further information

1987

Performance on June 6.

1986

Works performed:

Beethoven, Hallelujah from The Mount of Olives
Rutter, For the Beauty of the Earth
a work titled Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor by an unknown composer
Wilhousky(arranger), Battle Hymn of the Republic.

1985

Performance on June 8. Works performed:

Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Butler, Outburst of Joy
Handel, Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
Wilhousky (arranger), Battle Hymn of the Republic.

1984

Performance on June 2. Works performed

Brahms, excerpts from A German Requiem
deCormier, Ahrirang
Ellingboe, Choral Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Vaughan Williams, Antiphon from Five Mystical Songs
Wilhousky (arranger), Battle Hymn of the Republic.

1983

Performance on June 4.

1982

Performance on June 4. Works performed:

Franck, Psalm 150
Gilbert & Sullivan, Finale from The Gondoliers
Holst, Short Festival Te Deum
Stevens, Magnificat.

1981

Performance on June 6. Works performed:

Haydn, Gloria, Benedictus and Dona nobis pacem from Harmoniemesse
Parke, The Circus Band and The Melodious Accord
Traditional, Now Thank We All Our Lord.

1980

Performance on June 6. Works performed:

Bart, selections from Oliver
Sibelius, Onward Ye Peoples.

1979

Performance on June 2. Works performed:

Verdi, Triumphal Scene from Aida and Stabat Mater from Four Sacred Pieces
Wilhousky (arranger), Battle Hymn of the Republic.

1978

Works performed:

Boito, Prologue in Heaven from Mephistophele
Mascagni, Regina coeli from Cavalleria rusticana
Verdi, Triumphal Scene from Aida
Wilhousky (arranger), Battle Hymn of the Republic.

1977

Performance on June 4 at the Calder Stage. Works performed:

Haydn, selections from the Lord Nelson Mass.

1976

Performance on June 5 at the Calder Stage with the Symphony. Works performed:

Borodin, Polovetsian Dances from Prince Igor.

1975

Performance on June 7 at the Calder Stage.

1974

Performance on June 8 at the Calder Stage with the Symphony & the Opera Association of
Western Michigan

1973

Performance on June 2 at the Calder Stage with the Symphony & the Opera Association of
Western Michigan.

1971

Works performed:

Buffham's arrangement of Aura Lee, Giannini's Canticle of the Martyrs
Tschesnokoff's Salvation Is Created
Verdi, Triumphal Scene from Aida and Lord, Hear Our Prayer from Otello.

1970

Performance on June 7 at Calder Plaza. Works performed:

Idema, The Beatitudes
Palestrina, Adoramus Te Christe, Thompson, The Last Words of David
Vaughan Williams, Dona nobis pacem.

(All of these works had been performed at the Choir's concert at Fountain Street Church that April.)

May Through the Years

2002

On May 17, during the Symphony's Mozart Festival at the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, the Symphony and Chorus perform Robert Levin's completion of Mozart's Requiem. This is the Chorus' fourth production of the work, and the first production to use the Levin completion.

2001

The Symphony Chorus, Theater of Voices and the Symphony perform the world premiere of Raymond Shattenkirk's American Icons at DeVos Hall on May 11-12.

1999

The Symphony and Chorus perform Haydn's The Creation at DeVos Hall on May 1.

1992

The Symphony Chorus joins the Symphony to perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at DeVos Hall on May 15-16. This is the Chorus' fifth production of the work.

1989

The Symphonic Choir are the guests of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra in concert at Kellogg Auditorium on May 13, collaborating with the Battle Creek Boy Choir in performing Boito's "Prologue in Heaven" from Mephistophele and Stevens' Magnificat.

1988

Taking part in the Symphony's Family Concert at DeVos Hall on May 8, the Symphonic Choir performs Copland's "Stomp Your Foot" from The Tender Land, Howard Hanson's Song of Democracy and Randall Thompson's The Last Words of David.

1986

The Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony to perform Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms at DeVos Hall on May 23-24. This is the Choir's second production of the work.

1985

The Symphony and Choir perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at DeVos Hall on May 10-11. This is the Choir's fourth production of the symphony.

1983

The Choir performs Kodaly's Psalmus Hungaricus with the Symphony at DeVos Hall on May 6- 7.

1982

The Symphony, the Symphonic Choir, and the Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids perform Mahler's Symphony No. 2 at DeVos Hall on May 13-14. This is the Choir's first production of the symphony.

1978

The Symphony and Chorus collaborate with the St. Cecilia Youth Chorale in a concert performance of Bizet's Carmen, presented at the Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on May 12.

1977

Participating in the Symphony's Mozart Festival at Fountain Street Church on May 3, the Symphonic Choir performs Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass. This is the Choir's first production of the mass.

1970

The Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony to perform Prokofiev,'s cantata of music from the film Alexander Nevsky at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on May 1. This is the Choir's first production of the cantata.

1969

In concert with the Symphony at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on May 2, the Symphonic Choir performs Bernstein's Chichester Psalms (first production), the "Coronation Scene" from Moussorgsky's Boris Gudonov, and Verdi's Stabat Mater from Four Sacred Pieces.

April Through The Years

2006

The Chorus joins the Symphony to perform Haydn's Mass in Time of War at DeVos Hall on April 21-22.

2005

The Symphony and the Chorus perform Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor at DeVos Hall on April 15-16; this is the Chorus' second production of the Mass.

2004

On April 2-3, the women of the Chorus join the Symphony to perform Holst's The Planets at DeVos Hall. This is the Chorus' second production of the complete work.

On April 29, as part of the Symphony's Beethoven Festival, the Chorus sings its third production of Beethoven's Choral Fantasy in C Minor. The concert is held at Grand Rapids Christian High School's Center for Worship and the Arts.

2003

The Symphony Chorus collaborates with the Symphony and the Grand Valley State University Arts Chorale on April 4-5, performing Mendelssohn's Elijah at DeVos Hall. This is the Chorus' second production of the oratorio.

2002

The Chorus joins the Symphony to perform Poulenc's Gloria at DeVos Hall on April 19-20. This is the Chorus' sixth production of the Gloria.

2000

The Chorus joins the Symphony to perform Bernstein's Chichester Psalms at DeVos Hallon April 14-15. This is the Chorus' fourth production of the work.

1999

The Symphony and Chorus perform Haydn's The Creation at DeVos Hall on April 30 and May 1.

1997

On April 18, seventeen years to the day since its first production of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, the Symphony Chorus returns to Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo to once again sing the work with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. The Western Michigan University Grand Chorus and the Battle Creek Boy Choir also sing.

1996

The Chorus joins the Symphony for its second production of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2, performed at DeVos Hall on April 26-27.

1994

The Chorus and the Symphony perform Mahler's Symphony No. 2 at DeVos Hall on April 15-16 (the group's third production of the work).

1991

The Symphony and Chorus perform Vaughan Williams' Dona nobis pacem at DeVos Hall on April 26-27. While this is the Chorus' third production of the work, it is their first production with the Symphony.

1990

The Chorus and the Symphony perform Faure's Requiem (first production) and Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs at DeVos Hall on April 20-21.

1989

Participating in a Symphony Family Concert at DeVos Hall on April 30, the Chorus performs selections from Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King And I and The Sound of Music, along with Sherman & Sherman's “It's A Small World” and America the Beautiful.

1987

Joined by the Calvin College Alumni Choir, the Symphony and the Symphonic Choir perform Mahler's Symphony No. 2 on April 17 at DeVos Hall. This is the Choir's first production of the symphony.

1984

The Symphonic Choir performs Brahms' German Requiem in collaboration with the Christ Memorial Church Senior Choir, the Central Reformed Church Chancel Choir and the Hope College Symphonette.

The April 19 performance is held at Central Reformed Church; the April 20 performance is held at Hope College's Dinment Memorial Chapel in Holland. This is the Choir's first production of the Requiem.

1983

Making its first appearance in Central Reformed Church's Cyril E. Barker Festival Series on April 8-9, The Symphonic Choir performs Poulenc's Gloria. This is the Choir's third production of the work.

1980

On April 18, in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Western Michigan University Grand Chorus, the Holland Community Chorale and the Kalamazoo Community Chorale, the Symphonic Choir performs Mahler's Symphony No. 8 at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo. This is the Choir's first production of the symphony.

1979

The Symphony and Choir perform Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces at the Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on April 20. Though the Choir has performed individual movements of this work in its solo concerts, this is their first production of the complete score.

1977

The women of the Symphonic Choir perform in their first production of Mahler's Symphony No. 3 at the Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on April 22.

1976

The Symphonic Choir and the Symphony perform Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor as part of the Mozart Festival at Fountain Street Church on April 2. This is the Choir's first production of the work.

The Choir also joins the Symphony to sing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on April 30. This is the Choir's second production of the symphony.

1975

As part of the Mozart Festival at Fountain Street Church, the Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony to perform Mozart's Requiem on April 4. This is the Choir's first production of the work.

In concert at Trinity United Methodist Church on April 20, the Symphonic Choir presents Idema's The Beatitudes, Lotti's Crucifixus, excerpts from Mozart's Requiem, Palestrina's Adoramus Te Christe, Schutz's Cantate Domino, Tschesnokoff's Salvation Is Created and Verdi's “Lord, Hear Our Prayer” from Otello.

1971

The Symphonic Choir performs Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 for the first time at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on April 16.

1970

On April 7, the Symphonic Choir presents a concert at Fountain Street Church. Works performed include Giannini's Canticle of the Martyrs, Idema's The Beatitudes, Palestrina's Adoramus Te Christe, Randall Thompson's The Last Words of David and Vaughan Williams' Dona nobis pacem.

1968

Performing in concert at Calvin College's Fine Arts Auditorium on April 9, the Symphonic Choir sings Beck's Visions of Saint John, Buffham's arrangement of “Aura Lee,” Cousins-Stephens' O Clap Your Hands, Lotti's Crucifixus, David McK. Williams' In the Year That King Uzziah Died, Heinrich Schutz's Cantate Domino and the Stabat Mater and Te Deum from Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces.

1967

The Symphony, the Symphonic Choir and a children's choir stage the first production of Orff's Carmina Burana at the Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on April 7.

1966

On April 29, the Symphonic Choir participates in a memorial concert for Dag Hammarskjold at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium, joining the Symphony to perform Handel's Israel In Egypt. Biblical narration is read by Congressman Gerald R. Ford.

1965

On April 9, the Symphonic Choir performs its first independent concert at First Methodist Church in Grand Rapids. Works performed include Palestrina's Tu es Petrus, Randall Thompson's The Peaceable Kingdom, Vaughan Williams' O Clap Your Hands and Ward's Father, We Praise Thee.

MARCH THROUGH THE YEARS

February Through The Years

2002

The women of the Symphony Chorus perform in Mahler's Symphony No. 3 at DeVos Hall on February 1 & 2. This is the Chorus' third production of this symphony.

On February 7-9, the Symphony and Chorus perform Vivaldi's Gloria as part of the Casual Classics Series. The first two performances are at Royce Auditorium, while the third performance is held at West Ottawa High School in Holland.

1994

The Symphony Chorus are guests of Opera Grand Rapids on February 11 & 12 for two nights of ìThe Glorious Sounds of Wagner.î The combined musicians perform excerpts from Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Die Walkure, Lohengrin and Tannhauser at DeVos Hall.

1993

On February 25 & 26, the Symphony Chorus joins the symphony to perform Beethoven's Choral Fantasy in C Minor at Royce Auditorium. This is the Chorus' second production of the Choral Fantasy.

1992

The Chorus travels to Kalamazoo on February 2, joining the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and the Battle Creek Community Chorus. The assembled musicians provide live musical accompaniment to Eisenstein's film classic Alexander Nevsky, performing Prokofiev's complete score for the film. This is the Chorus' second production of music from Alexander Nevsky.

1988

The Chorus and the Symphony perform Haydn's The Seasons at DeVos Hall on February 5 & 6.

1987

On February 6 & 7, the Chorus joins the Symphony at DeVos Hall to perform Mendelssohn's Elijah for the first time.

1986

The Symphonic Choir and the Symphony perform Orff's Carmina Burana at DeVos Hall on February 21 & 22. This is the Choir's third production of Carmina Burana.

1984

The Chorus takes part in the Symphony's February 10-11 performances of the second suite from Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe at DeVos Hall.

1981

The Symphonic Choir performs in concert at Fountain Street Church on February 17. Works on the program include Beethoven's Elegischer Gesang, Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore, and Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music.

1980

On February 1, the Symphonic Choir performs Verdi's Requiem with the Symphony at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium. This is the Choir's second production of the Requiem.

1973

The Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony to perform the "Habanera" from Bizet's Carmen, the "Prologue in Heaven" from Boito's Mephistophele, and the Polovetsian Dances from Borodin's Prince Igor. The men of the Chorus also perform Brahms' Alto Rhapsody. The concert takes place at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on February 2.

1964

In its fourth concert on February 21, the Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony for its first production of Verdi's Requiem at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium.

January Through The Years

2006

The Chorus and the Calvin College Alumni Choir sing the finale of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 at DeVos Hall On January 27 & 28. This is the Chorus' fourth production of the symphony.

2003

Teaming for the second time with Detroit's Brazeal Dennard Chorale, the Symphony and Chorus perform Adolphus Hailstork's I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (the Chorus' seventh production of the work). The concert is performed on January 31 & February 1 at DeVos Hall.

2001

On January 12 & 13, the Chorus teams with Detroit's Brazeal Dennard Chorale to perform Adolphus Hailstork's Done Made My Vow with the Symphony at DeVos Hall.

1993

The Chorus performs Francis Poulenc's Four Motets for the Season of Lent. These performances are part of Casual Classics concerts held January 14 & 15 at Royce Auditorium.

1992

The Chorus sings as part of a Symphony Family Concert at DeVos Hall on January 19. Selections include “Ching-a-ring-chaw”and “The Boatman's Dance” from Copland's Old American Songs, as well as America the Beautiful.

1991

The Chorus joins the Symphony for “A Tribute to Cole Porter” on January 25 & 26, performing selections from Anything Goes, Born to Dance, Can-Can, Jubilee, Kiss Me, Kate, Rosalie, and The Gay Divorcee at DeVos Hall.

1976

On January 24, the Symphonic Choir performs Mozart's Requiem for the Midwest Music Convention at the Power Center in Ann Arbor.

December Through The Years

Holiday Pops Through the Years Beginning in 1965, the Symphonic Choir performed regularly at the Symphony's December concerts. However, through 1975, the December concerts were not pops concerts; rather, the Choir would join the Symphony for one or two major works, usually sacred in nature. (These works are listed at the end of this article.)

In 1976, the Symphonic Choir performed its usual December concert with the Symphony on the 15th. A week later, on December 22, 1976, the Choir joined the Symphony again for a Cabaret Pops, also held at the Civic Auditorium. Conducted by Richard Hayman, the Choir performed a number of his arrangements (Yuletide Greetings, The Glory of Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas), Leontovich's Carol of the Bells, The Little Drummer Boy and (inaugurating a Holiday Pops tradition) Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" from Messiah.

For a while, however, these concerts were still only occasional events. On December 1, 1979 at Civic Auditorium, the Symphonic Choir participated in its second Christmas Pops, opening with Ward's America the Beautiful, then launching into numerous carols and holiday favorites, with Sibelius' Finlandia included for variety.

After a three year break, the next Christmas Pops took place on December 8, 1982. The Symphonic Choir joined the Symphony and Sesame Street's Bob McGrath for another program of carols and holiday songs. From then on, Christmas Pops (later Holiday Pops) was an annual event; the Choir sang four carol arrangements by John Rutter and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" at the Pops on December 20, 1983.

The Symphonic Choir continued to do double duty in 1982 and 1983, performing a classical concert with the Symphony in addition to their Pops duties. Since 1984, Holiday Pops has generally been the Chorus' only December project, with exceptions in 1988, 1989, 1994 and 2004.

The Chorus has performed more than 125 different pieces for Christmas/Holiday Pops since 1979, including:

sixteen different carol arrangements by John Rutter;

twelve suites of Christmas music by Richard Hayman, including his unique version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. For this piece, rather than singing, the Chorus became actors, playing the visual parts of drummers drumming, pipers piping, lords a-leaping, etc.;

five carol suites by Randol Bass, including Christmas Ornaments, composed specially for the Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir and premiered in 1988;

three of Robert Shaw and Richard Russell Bennett's The Many Moods of Christmas suites;

Excerpts from Bach's B Minor Mass, Berlioz's L'enfance du Christ, Rachmaninoff's Vespers and Vivaldi's Gloria;

Selections from the Home Alone movies by John Williams;

David Ott's Festive Christmas Overture, another piece specially composed for the Symphony and Chorus;

and, of course, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," sung at seventeen different sets of Pops performances.

Other December concerts through the years:

2004

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D Major (eighth production) on December 31.

1994

Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme; Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass (second production) on December 1 & 2.

1989

Poulenc, Gloria (fourth production) on December 1 & 2.

1988

Mahler, Symphony No. 3 (second production) on December 2 & 3.

1983

Bernstein, Chichester Psalms (third production) on December 9 & 10.

1982

Bizet, Te Deum on December 17 & 18.

1981

Bach, Magnificat in D (second production) on December 17 & 18.

1980

Sweelinck, Hodie Christus natus est, performed at the ordination of Carolyn Jean Wharton on December 7. Bach, Christmas Oratorio (selections); Foss, Psalms for Chorus and Orchestra on December 18 & 19.

1979

Poulenc, Gloria (second production) on December 14.

1978

Hovahness, Magnificat (second production) Shaw/Bennett, The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 4 (first production) on December 15.

1977

Beethoven, Choral Fantasy in C Minor (first production) Shaw/Bennett, The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 1 (first production) Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on Christmas Carols (second production) on December 21.

1976

Bach, Christmas Oratorio (selections) Schoenberg, Friede auf Erden on December 15.

1975

Britten, Saint Nicolas on December 19.

1974

Poulenc, Gloria (first production) on December 15.

1973

Vaughan Williams, Hodie on December 9.

1972

Orff, Carmina Burana (second production) on December 1.

1971

Handel, Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus (first production) Hovahness, Magnificat (first production) Lockwood, Carol Fantasy on December 17.

1970

Honegger, A Christmas Cantata on December 18.

1969

Walton, Belshazzar's Feast (first production) on December 19.

1968

Bach: Cantata 140: Chorale Bach, Magnificat in D (first production) Pinkham, Christmas Cantata on December 20.

1967

Holst, Christmas Day (first production) Vaughan Williams, Toward the Unknown Region on December 15.

1966

Bach, Mass in B Minor: Sanctus Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on Christmas Carols (first production) on December 16.

1965

Pachelbel, Magnificat on December 17.

November Through The Years

2006

The Chorus joins the Symphony on November 17 & 18 to perform Stephen Paulus' Voices of Light and the Mozart Requiem, completed by Robert Levin. This is the Chorus' fifth production of the Requiem, and the second to use the Levin completion.

2002

On November 3, the Chorus presents a concert at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Works performed include Bruckner’s Ave Maria, Mendelssohn’s Heilig, Palestrina’s Tu es Petrus, Parry’s I Was Glad, Penderecki’s Agnus Dei, Rheinberger’s Abendlied, Stanford’s Three Latin Motets, Victoria’s O quam gloriosum, and O magnum mysterium and Behold, A Simple Tender Babe by Carl Wiltse.

2001

The Symphony and Chorus perform Verdi’s Requiem at DeVos Hall on November 1 & 2. This is the Chorus’ fourth production of the Requiem. 2000 On November 17 & 18, The Symphony and Chorus perform “Thanksgiving and/or Forefather’s Day” from Ives’ Holidays Symphony and Orff’s Carmina Burana at DeVos Hall. This is the Chorus’ fifth production of Carmina Burana.

1999

The Chorus joins the Symphony on November 19 & 20 to perform Barber’s Prayers of Kierkegaard (first production) and Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms (third production) at DeVos Hall.

1998

On November 20 & 21, the Symphony and Chorus perform Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky cantata at DeVos Hall. This is the Chorus’ second production of the cantata and its third production of music from Prokofiev’s film score. 1996 The Symphony and Chorus perform Brahms’ Schicksalied at DeVos Hall on November 22 & 23.

1991

On November 21 & 22, a chamber group from the Chorus joins the Symphony at Royce Auditorium to perform Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Solemn Vespers. This is the Chorus’ first production of the mass and its second production of the Vespers.

1990

As part of Central Reformed Church’s Cyril E. Barker Festival Series on November 9, the Symphony and Chorus perform Parry’s I Was Glad, the Poulenc Gloria (the Chorus’ fifth production), and Vaughan Williams’ The Old Hundredth (All People That On Earth Do Dwell).

1988

The Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony for “A Tribute to Lerner & Loewe” at DeVos Hall, performed on November 3-5. The Choir performs selections from Camelot, Gigi, My Fair Lady and Paint Your Wagon.

1985

The Symphonic Choir takes part in “Some Enchanted Evening: Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein” at DeVos Hall on November 20 & 21, performing selections from Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific, State Fair, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.

1984

The Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony to perform Shostakovich’s The Execution of Stepan Razin at DeVos Hall on November 9 & 10.

1981

The Philharmonia of the Symphony and the Symphonic Choir perform Mozart’s Requiem at DeVos Hall on November 6. This is the Choir’s second production of the Requiem.

1977

The Symphony and Symphonic Choir perform Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms at Civic Auditorium on November 18. This is the Choir’s first production of the work.

1973

On November 4, The Symphonic Choir helps celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Butterworth Hospital at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Selections include Butler’s How Excellent Is Thy Name, Thompson’s Ye Shall Have A Song, and Tschesnokoff’s Salvation is Created.

1970

On November 23, the Symphonic Chorus joins the Symphony and the men of Calvin College’s A Cappella Choir to perform excerpts from Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg.

October Through The Years

2005

The Chorus joins the Symphony, the Holland Chorale and the Battle Creek Boy Choir and Girl Choir to perform Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings Symphony. This sold-out special concert at DeVos Hall on October 14.

2004

The Chorus performs the Faure Requiem with the Symphony on October 1 & 2 at DeVos Hall. This is the Chorus' second production of the Requiem. These performances also mark the debut of current director Dr. Pearl Shangkuan.

2003

The Symphony and Chorus, joined by the Opera Grand Rapids Chorus, perform Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust at DeVos Hall. Performances are held on October 31 and November 1.

1995

The Symphony and Chorus perform Verdi's Requiem at Grace Episcopal Church on October 15. This is the Chorus' third production of the Requiem.

1984

The men of the Symphonic Choir sing excerpts from Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore as part of a Halloween Pops, held in DeVos Hall on October 31.

1980

A Festival of Praise and Thanksgiving at DeVos Hall on October 12 celebrates the opening of the Grand Center. As part of the Festival Chorus and Orchestra, the Symphonic Choir performs John Ness Beck's Canticle of Praise, the "Hallelujah" from Franck's Psalm 150, Thompson's The Last Words of David, Vaughan Williams' The Old Hundredth (All People That On Earth Do Dwell) and America the Beautiful.

The Symphony and Symphonic Choir also perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 on October 30 & 31. This is the Choir's fourth production of Beethoven's 9th. It is also their first appearance with the Symphony in DeVos Hall, and their first two-night production.

1966

The Michigan Orchestra Association Convention is held at the Pantlind Hotel on October 15. The Symphonic Choir and the Symphony perform the "Prologue in Heaven" from Boito's Mephistophele, excerpts from Handel's Israel In Egypt, Palestrina's Tu es Petrus, and Randall Thompson's The Peaceable Kingdom.

1963

In its third concert, the Symphonic Choir joins with the Symphony and the Grand Rapids Junior College Girls Choir to perform excerpts from Mussorgsky's Boris Gudonov and the "Prologue in Heaven" from Boito's Mephistophele. The concert takes place at the Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on October 11.

September Through The Years

2001

In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, the Chorus takes part in a Ceremony of Remembrance and Resolve held in Ah-Nab-Awen Park on September 15. Selections include God Bless America by Irving Berlin and Shall We Gather at the River, arranged by Aaron Copland.

1997

The Chorus takes part in Opera Grand Rapids' production of Verdi's Aida, staged at Van Andel Arena on September 20.

1994

The Chorus joins the Symphony on September 16 & 17 to open the season with Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at DeVos Hall. This is the Chorus' sixth production of Beethoven's 9th.

1974

On September 8, the Symphonic Choir performs at a Service of Prayer and Praise for the Presidency of Gerald Ford, held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Musical selections include Christ, Be Thine the Glory by Heinrich Schutz (arranged by Robert Shaw), and two anthems by Randall Thompson, Say Ye to the Righteous and Ye Shall Have A Song.

August Through The Years

1996

At the funeral service for chorus member Jane Cudlipp, held on August 15 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Chorus performs the Pie Jesu from Faure's Requiem.

1976

Performing for Cabaret Pops on August 19 at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium, the Symphonic Choir performs excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. This is the Chorus' first production of the Gershwin work.

1974

The Symphonic Choir joins the Symphony to perform highlights from Lehar's The Merry Widow
for a Cabaret Pops at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on August 22.

July Through the Years

2003

From July 20-30, the touring choir of the Symphony Chorus visits southern Europe and Italy. Concerts are performed at Nice, Gerasse, Florence, Montecatini and Mestre. Works performed include:

Bruckner, Locus iste
Moses Hogan, I Want to Thank You, Lord
Mendelssohn, Heilig
Palestrina, Tu es Petrus
Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, Wondrous Love
Pitoni, Cantate Domino
Josef Rheinberger, Abendlied
Domenico Scarlatti, Missa quatuor vocum (Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei)
Stanford, Beati quorum via
Victoria's Q quam gloriosum
Carl Wiltse, Behold A Simple, Tender Babe, O magnum mysterium, and O Mary, Don't You Weep.

2001

On July 17-26, a touring choir from the Symphony Chorus breaks new ground with a European concert tour. The choir visits Germany and the Netherlands, performing at Gouda, Heerlen, Treebeck, Heidelberg and Rothenburg. Works performed include:

Anonymous, Rejoice in the Lord Always
Gibbons, Hosanna to the Son of David and This is the Record of John
Hassler, Kyrie & Gloria from the Missa Secunda
Moses Hogan, I Want to Thank You, Lord
Ralph Manuel, Alleluia
Palestrina, O salutaris hostia
Alice Parker, Sing to the Lord
Purcell, Cantate Domino
Leo Sowerby, I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes
Stanford, Beati quorum via
Carl Wiltse, O Mary, Don't You Weep

For Picnic Pops at Cannonsburg Ski Resort on July 9-10, the Chorus joins the Symphony to perform excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. This is the Chorus' third production of the Gershwin work.

1997

The Symphony Chorus makes its Picnic Pops debut at Cannonsburg Ski Resort, singing Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" with the Symphony.

1979

Performing for Cabaret Pops on July 12 at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium, the Symphonic Choir performs excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. This is the Chorus' second production of the Gershwin work.

1973

The Symphonic Choir takes part in "An Evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein," a Cabaret Pops held at Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium on July 18. Selections from Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific, State Fair, The King And I and The Sound of Music are included. This is the first concert in which the Choir sings under the baton of Richard Hayman.

Datebook

of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus

2005

1992

1963

Festival Through the Years On Sunday, June 7, 1970, The Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir performed at Calder Plaza as part

1998

1997

1991

1987

1986

1985

1984

1983

1982

1981

1980

1979

1978

1977

1976

1975

1974

1973

1971

1970

May Through the Years

2002

2001

1999

1992

1989

1988

1986

1985

1983

1982

1978

1977

1970

1969

April Through The Years

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2000

1999

1997

1996

1994

1991

1990

1989

1987

1984

1983

1980

1979

1977

1976

1975

1971

1970

1968

1967

1966

1965

2008

2002

1994

1993

1992

1988

1987

1986

1984

1981

1980

Festival Through the Years
On Sunday, June 7, 1970, The Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir performed at Calder Plaza as part