Summer Sings! 2010
Summer Sings! is a celebration of the joy of singing together in a fun, informal setting. The conductor, accompanist and soloists are professional guests, and the chorus, well, that's where you come in! Come and sing, or just sit back and enjoy the voices of the soloists, the commentary of the conductor, and the camaraderie of making music together. Singing ability is by no means required!
The series takes place on three Monday evenings in June at Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist (3051 Ironbound Rd., between Rt. 5 and Jamestown Rd.) Registration and borrowing of scores begins at 7:00; singing begins at 7:30. Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door or through our online box office.
Monday, June 14
Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
Conductor – Erin Freeman, Associate Conductor of the Richmond Symphony
Accompanist – Christine Niehaus
Soprano Soloist – Lisa Edwards-Burrs
Mezzo-Soprano Soloist – Robynne Redmon
Tenor Soloist – Garry Sloan
Baritone Soloist – Christopher Mooney
Generally considered one of Beethoven's supreme achievements,
this work is rarely performed because
it requires a large professional chorus and full orchestra.
All the more reason to sing it for fun!
Monday, June 21
Brahms’ German Requiem
Conductor – Scott Williamson, Artistic Director of the Virginia Chorale
Accompanist – Mildred Andrews Young
Soprano Soloist – Amy Cofield Williamson
Bass Soloist – Branch Fields
This piece became the central work of Brahms' career.
It has been described as "the most comforting, humane requiem ever written."
Brahms himself said, referring to the work's title,
"I must admit I should like to leave out the word 'German' and refer instead to 'Humanity.'"
Monday, June 28
Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem
Conductor – Ann Porter, Artistic Director of the Williamsburg Women’s Chorus
Accompanist – Rebecca Davy
Soprano Soloist – Lisa Edwards-Burrs
Bass Soloist – Branch Fields
In 1936, Vaughan Williams produced this plea for peace
by referring to recent wars during the growing fears of a new one.
He incorporated texts from the Mass, poems by Walt Whitman,
a political speech, and passages from the Bible.
Summer Sings! is supported by a generous grant from the Junior Women's Club of Williamsburg. We also acknowledge the generosity of the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists for hosting our series again this year.
