The Grand Rapids Symphony’s entire choral division joins forces at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew to present two performances of sacred choral music. Part of the Symphony’s Sacred Dimensions Series, the “Cathedral Choral Concert” features music from four different faith traditions – Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish – and celebrates the 50th Season of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus. The concert will be presented Saturday, March 2 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. These concerts are sponsored by John and Nancy Kennedy.
The full Symphony Choral family – the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Youth Chorus and Mandala, Prelude and Junior Youth Chorus – will join Grand Rapids Symphony musicians for a performance of 13 choral works. Each chorus will perform individually and together, with more than 300 voices combining for performances of Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory’s arrangement of “Ani Ma’amin” (I Believe in God Even Though He may Tarry), Vaughan Williams’ arrangement of “The Old 100th Psalm: All People that on Earth do Dwell for” and Mark Thomas’ “Ave Maris Stella.”
“The audience will be embraced by the sound of over 300 voices and instruments in a program that transports the spirit into the realm of the heavenly,” said Pearl Shangkuan, Director of the Symphony Chorus since 2004.
The “Cathedral Choral Concert” is the second Sacred Dimensions Series concert of the Symphony’s 2012-2013 Season. The Sacred Dimensions Series presents musical collaborations reflecting diverse faith perspectives, performed in sacred spaces throughout the West Michigan community. This concert also represents an ongoing partnership with the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. The Symphony has previously performed at the Cathedral three times: “Monteverdi Vespers” (2009), “Cathedral Concert” (2010) and “Christmas Candlelight Cathedral Concert” (2011).
Tickets
General Admission tickets are $22 and are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW Suite 100 (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616/454-9451, Ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee with a $12 maximum.) Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 800/982- 2787, online at www.grsymphony.org, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee.
About the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus
The Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, organized and founded in 1962 with the guidance and support of Mary Ann Keeler, is currently celebrating its 50th Season. A volunteer organization of 146 members, the chorus is dedicated to achieving artistic excellence in choral presentations. Dr. Pearl Shangkuan has directed the Chorus since 2004. The Symphony Chorus was most recently featured in November 2012’s performance of Steven Paulus’ Holocaust Memorial Oratorio “To Be Certain of the Dawn” and will join the orchestra for Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis” in May 2013.
About the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses
The Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses became an affiliate of the Grand Rapids Symphony in May of 2008. Three Choirs form a graded choral program that exists to maintain a tradition of choral excellence for young people in West Michigan. Youth Chorus members receive extensive training as well as opportunities to join the Grand Rapids Symphony in performances of major works from the choral and symphonic traditions. Two training choirs, the Prelude Chorus and the Junior Youth Chorus, are directed by Jackie Sonderfan Schoon. The senior ensemble, directed by Sean Ivory, aspires to professional musical standards and is known simply as the Youth Chorus. During the 2012-2013 Season the Choruses have been featured in November 2012’s performance of Steven Paulus’ Holocaust Memorial Oratorio “To Be Certain of the Dawn” and December 2012’s Nestle Gerber Holiday Pops. The Youth Choruses are presented by Legacy Trust.
About the Grand Rapids Symphony
The Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington, nine concert series are presented, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. More than 400 performances are presented each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit www.grsymphony.org.
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.