2010-2011 Concert Season

The British are Coming, the British are Coming!

Saturday, October 23, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, Greeley

It’s another invasion! Listen as the Greeley Chorale joins forces with the Greeley Children’s Chorale to present John Rutter’s poignant Mass of the Children--one of Rutter’s most magnificent, powerful, and emotional compositions. It was written shortly after the tragic loss of Rutter’s son. The Chorale will round out the evening with a sampler of choral works inspired from church, stage, and folk songs of the British countryside.

A Candlelight Procession

Sunday, December 19, 3:00 p.m., Union Colony Civic Center

In our yearly holiday offering to our faithful patrons, the Greeley Chorale will feature familiar and traditional choral works in celebration of the joyous Christmas season. Those in attendance will bask in the glow of great holiday traditions from America, Europe, and Latin America. All will be required to sing along (when appropriate!).

Pops & Pasta -- Sweet 16th!

Saturday, February 26, 2011, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 2222 23rd Avenue, Greeley

Music of the Night

Sunday, April 3, 4:00 p.m., Union Colony Civic Center

From Verdi to Sondheim with many stops in-between, the Greeley Chorale’s final offering of the 2010-11 season will be dedicated to the music of the stage, to include offerings from the American musical theater, the great operatic choral traditions and works intended to lighten and inspire the heart and spirit.

GREETINGS FROM GREECE!

The Greeley Chorale is here in Athens, on schedule with no travel problems. On Tuesday, we visited downtown Athens. We then climbed up to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, also known as the Temple of Athena, where we spent about 3 hours hiking through ruins of a once flourishing society. It was very awe-inspiring and humbling to walk the very ground that is the basis for Western culture, democracy, and civilization. That same evening in the auditorium of the American International School, the Greeley Chorale performed before a large and highly appreciative audience. We could hear them singing with us when we sang “Never on Sunday” and the Greek National Anthem in Greek. The rest of the program was a diverse mixture of music including sacred, gospel, and Americana selections.

The next morning—May 27—we traveled to Delphi and had a guided tour of the city and the archeological sites. The Oracle of Delphi certainly influenced historical events by making vague predictions which could be interpreted in several ways. It is perhaps the most intact of the ruins we have already seen. We also saw one of the world’s largest cable stay bridges that connects the mainland with the peninsula. A true work of art!

Today—May 28—we traveled to the site of the original Olympic games. It was interesting to see where the Olympic Torch is lit prior to the start of the Olympic games.

The original stadium had wooden seats resting on stones. Some of the stones supporting the seats are still evident but the wood has long since rotted away. All that can be seen now is an oval grassy area. We were amazed that even the original stadium had special sections for presiding judges and persons of importance, what we call VIPs.

We also toured San Andreas Church, the largest Greek Orthodox church in all of Greece.

Following our visit to Olympia, we performed our second concert in the Ancient Odeion Ampitheatre as part of the Patras Music Festival, where we were awarded a medal for our performance by the president of the Festival. The acoustics were marvelous and the setting was a perfect backdrop for another appreciative audience who especially enjoyed “Never on Sunday,” which we sang in Greek.

The next morning, we embarked on a cruise to several of the islands in the Aegean Sea. Our first stop was Mykonos. It is probably one of the more well-known islands with dazzling white buildings. The streets are narrow and very colorful with balconies, steep stairs, and brilliant flowers. Most of the homes have shutters which block most of the sun that shines intensely. The windmills are reminiscent of those one would see in Holland. We walked through the winding streets, finished our visit with a cool drink in one of the port cafes, and then returned to the ship.

The morning found us in Rhodes where one of the Ancient Wonders of the World—a giant statue known as the Colossus—was said to have straddled the harbor entrance. Rhodes is a walled city; we entered the gate nearest the dock and walked the winding streets that accommodate numerous shops containing leather goods, jewelry, carpets, and internet cafes.

Later that afternoon, we returned to the ship for a short rehearsal, after which the Chorale gave a concert for ship guests.

On Sunday, May 31, we arrived in Patmos. We were taken by bus to the Grotto where John wrote the Book of Revelation. We climbed down a steep flight of stairs and entered a small chamber. As we observed where John slept and worked, we were privileged to listen to several monks as they chanted. The Grotto is also part of the Monastery of St. John.

Following our stop in Patmos to visit the Grotto and the Monastery of St. John, we continued our sea journey to Kusadasi, Turkey and then by bus to the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Of all of our visits to ancient historical sites, Ephesus is perhaps the most well-preserved. As we walked the marble promenade toward the library, we realized we were walking the streets where Paul preached to the Ephesians two thousand years ago. Although Ephesus is now inland several miles due to the silting of the river, it was formerly a bustling seaport.

Another highpoint of our visit to Ephesus was the privilege to sing in the theater set into the hillside. We performed two songs and the acoustics were phenomenal. No electronic enhancement was needed!

Following our visit to Ephesus, we were given a tour of the port city of Kusadasi. We were treated to a glass of ouzo or apple tea while we were shown their major export—wool and silk carpets.

Our sea cruise concluded in Athens on the morning of June 1. After an afternoon free to explore the city on our own, we prepared for our final concert of the tour. That evening, we were pleased to perform with the Voula Choir of Athens at the Mikis Theodorakis Theatre—we sang together one of their favorite songs, “Never on Sunday,” and also a song by Rachmaninoff. We were honored by the presence of the mayor. Our audience especially enjoyed the jazz, Broadway, and spiritual selections.

On the last day of our tour, we journeyed to Epidaurus to see a 4th century archeological site which included another opportunity for an informal performance. We marveled at the semicircular site—no matter where you sat, the sound was crystal clear.

Thus concludes a memorable concert tour of ancient and modern Greece by the Greeley Chorale!