Master Chorale To Perform

New Work By John Rutter

The Connecticut Master Chorale, under the direction of Tina Johns Heidrich, will perform its winter concert Sunday, March 9, at 3 pm, at St Rose of Lima Church.

The program will feature Winchester Te Deum, a new work by John Rutter. Written for the installation of the new Dean of Winchester Cathedral, this is a glorious setting for mixed voices. Described as “buoyant, while maintaining a sense of ceremony,” Te Deum is a worthy addition to the renowned composer’s body of work. Dancing rhythmic motifs are balanced with moments of reflection, and soaring vocal lines highlight the text. The final Alleluias bring the composition to a magnificent conclusion.

Also on the program is Charles Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass. Written in honor of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music, this masterpiece established Gounod’s reputation as a composer of sacred music.

The concert will conclude with Ben-Hur Choral Suite by Miklós Rózsa, a Hungarian-born composer who was best known for his film scores. Throughout his career, he composed award-winning music for MGM Studios and won his third Oscar for Ben-Hur. The classic epic won 11 of the 12 Academy Awards for which it was nominated and is one of the most honored films of all time.

Created from the highlights of the original film score, the Choral Suite is dramatically beautiful music of a magical nature, filled with majesty and explosive grandeur.

The Connecticut Master Chorale is an ensemble of 55 vocalists now in its ninth year of performing in western Connecticut.

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

In addition to its regular three-concert seasons, the chorale has sung by invitation at the White House, Madison Square Garden, West Point Military Academy, and three times at Carnegie Hall.

The Chorale will be joined by soprano Louise Fauteux, tenor Joshua Kohl, and baritone Dan Kempson, and accompanied by the Connecticut Master Chorale Orchestra.

Tickets for the winter concert are $20 in advance and will be $25 at the door. For tickets and information, call 743-0473 or visit CMChorale.org.