Christmas Gala 2011 a Big Hit!

Jonathan Lange - Stille Nacht

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Choir

I keep hearing great compliments about the Community Christmas Gala that we hosted on Sunday, December 18th.  We had a great crowd, and though there were eighteen songs performed, I never felt as though the audience was getting restless.  The applause after every song was genuine and enthusiastic.  The stage setup really helped the concert flow very smoothly and it lasted well under an hour and a half.

Snowy Mountain Brass

We had a nice variety of songs and groups at the concert.  Our ECC feature, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" was fun and unexpected.  Pastor Robert Douglas, from the Aspen Grove SBC Church, livened it up a bit with his solo "Mary, Did You Know," and the audience participation when they sang "Go Tell It on the Mountain" was a great idea.  Jonathan Lange sang the beautiful "Stille Nacht" in the original German, and the Snowy Mountain Brass quartet gave us a nice medley of traditional Christmas songs.  The LDS 7th Ward Choir was one of several choral groups, and there were also several vocal solos and duets.  Take a look at videos and photos of the concert to see all the groups involved. 

"O Holy Night"

The grand finale of the concert was the beautiful, "O Holy Night," performed by the combined choirs and the orchestra.  It really came together very well, and several people told me that was their favorite song of the concert.  Several church choral groups joined with the Civic Chorus for the performance, and the energy and sound from this large group was exhilarating for those on stage as well as in the audience.  ECC Director, Kirk Young, directed the performance.  He says he had the best "seat" in the house.  The Civic Orchestra did an excellent job, and it was a treat for the choirs to sing with them.  Thanks to Stephen Fairbanks for rehearsing them.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this concert possible and for all the musicians who performed.  This was truly a great community event.

by Sara

A Season of Concerts - Gala Up Next

This truly is a season of concerts, and the Evanston Civic Chorus is gearing up for its final performance of the year this Sunday when it hosts the Evanston Community Christmas Gala.  We're pretty excited about the concert.  We've got several church music groups in the lineup along with several vocal ensembles, brass and flute choirs, and the Civic Orchestra.  Here are the details:

Evanston Community Christmas Gala

Sunday, December 18, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Davis Middle School

Free Admission

Kirk has designed the stage setup to eliminate set changes between songs.  We anticipate the concert will flow very smoothly.  It'll be a great event for families.

Chorus members performed recently in a couple of Christmas events.  On December 1st we were in the Parade of Lights.  It was absolutely frigid and windy that evening, but we still had a great time singing as loud as we could from our trailer "float."  Kirk dressed as Santa.  I thought that was a pretty clever way to get another warm layer on.  Thanks to Deb for arranging for our parade transportation.

Last Sunday, Chorus members joined with the LDS Evanston South Stake Choir to sing "O Holy Night" during their Christmas musical program.  It turned out to be a great experience from both perspectives.  Chorus members enjoyed participating and appreciated the invitation.  Since I was involved in the Stake Choir I can say that we truly enjoyed performing this song together and are glad for ECC members that could come to our program.  We'll be joining together again with some other church choral groups and the orchestra to perform "O Holy Night" at the Gala.  We hope to see you there!

by Sara

ECC Starts Christmas Music This Week

The Christmas season is always a favorite with the Evanston Civic Chorus, and we're excited to jump into new music this week on Wednesday, Nov. 16th.  This is a great time to join us!

We've got a couple of holiday events scheduled so far:

• December 1st - We're planning to be in the Parade of Lights as Christmas carolers.  In the past we've strolled around downtown singing in different businesses.  This year we're planning to sing our carols on a float in the parade.  
• December 18th - We're hosting the 3rd biennial Evanston Community Christmas Gala concert.

Evanston Community Christmas Gala

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Davis Middle School

Free Admission

2009 - Combined Choir and Orchestra

The Civic Chorus and Chamber Choir will each prepare a song for the Gala. In addition, the Chorus will form the nucleus of a combined choir which will sing "O Holy Night," accompanied by the Evanston Civic Orchestra.  We formed a combined choir for the 2009 Gala and it was a great success.  We already have several local church choral groups signed up to be in the Gala and in the combined choir.

All singers in the Evanston area are invited to be in the combined choir.  If you don't belong to a participating choral group, come sing with the Civic Chorus!  Even if you are in a different choral group, come sing with us.  I'm involved in three different choirs this year, plus the orchestra.  It's great fun!

I hope to see many of you on Wednesday at 7:00 in the EHS choir room!

 by Sara

A Fun Fall Concert at the Library - Oct. 29, 2011

Evanston Civic Chorus

We had our fall concert on Saturday, October 29th.  This was our second concert in the Uinta County Library, and unlike last time, I didn't feel strange at all making noise in the library.  I mean making music in the library.

Chamber Choir

We had a small but very appreciative audience for our short but very fun concert.  This was the debut of the newly formed Chamber Choir, a subgroup of the Chorus.  The Chorus and Chamber Choir each performed three songs.  This was the program:
Civic Chorus

• Sing Out This Triumphant Day
• Lift Me Up
• Everything

Chamber Choir

• Were You There?
• In the Valley Below
• O Vos Omnes

Thanks to Glen for taking video and pictures of the concert. 

by Sara

Evanston Arts: Annie Get Your Gun!

We just had a great fall concert last Saturday, and many of our ECC members are busy again in performances for the next two weekends.  Sagebrush Theatre presents Annie Get Your Gun!, with Heather Blackwell as Annie and our own ECC director, Kirk Young, as Frank Butler.

Annie Get Your Gun!

November 4,5,11,12
Matinee at 2:00 (Sat.), Dinner 6:00, Evening Show 7:00
ESC Annex Theater (10th and Summit)
Tickets: $12.00 adult, $10.00 senior/student, $13.00 extra for dinner

Dinner will be catered by Suds Bros Brewery.  Choose from two cowboy dinner options and make your reservation any day between 2:00 and 5:00 (444-SUDS).  Tickets for the show can be purchased at the door, or in advance at Main St. Artisans, Chamber of Commerce, or Water of Life.

The musical is family friendly, and kids as young as 5 years old are being encouraged to dress up as cowboys and cowgirls.

by Sara

Evanston Arts: Civic Orchestra and School Strings Halloween Concert

We're to that point in the season where we're going to see a lot going on in Evanston Arts in the near future.  In just a couple of days there is a fun concert by the Evanston Civic Orchestra and school strings classes.  They are putting on a joint Halloween concert, complete with costumes and a little melodrama.

Evanston Civic Orchestra and School Strings
Wednesday, October 26th

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Davis Middle School

Free admission

Yes, I will be dressed up too, playing timpani.  But I'm not going to tell you what I'm going to be.  You'll just have to come see for yourself.

by Sara

Fall Concert Next Week - October 29, 2011

The Evanston Civic Chorus is excited to announce the presentation of their Fall Concert next Saturday, October 29th.  The concert starts at 2:00 p.m. and will be in the Uinta County Library.  Admission is free.

The Chorus has prepared some upbeat songs, including "Everything" by Michael Bublé.  In addition, the ECC Chamber Choir has several songs lined up, including a couple of beautiful a cappella pieces.  I can't decide whether I like "Were You There?" or "O Vos Omnes" better.  How about you come to the concert and you can help me decide.

by Sara

Evanston Arts: Hats Off To Broadway II

The LDS Evanston and Evanston South Stakes are presenting Hats Off to Broadway II this week.  It's an exciting show of music and dance with full costumes and some props.  The public is invited to this free event.  I'm looking forward to bringing my family.

Performances:

Thursday, September 8th

Friday, September 9th

Saturday, September 10th

7:00 p.m. 

Evanston South Stake Center

632 Twin Ridge Avenue

I hope to see you there!

by Sara

Fall Session Starts Soon

The fall session of the Chorus is starting on Wednesday, September 14th.  The chorus will rehearse weekly on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the EHS Choir room #103.  Auditions are not required to join the Chorus, but you do need to be at least 14 years old.  Registration ($10.00) begins at the first rehearsal. The Chorus will be presenting a fall concert and hosting the Evanston Community Christmas Gala this session. Whether you've sung with the Chorus before or not, we hope you'll join us on the 14th.  If you have questions you can use our online contact form.

by Sara

Fresh Air, Freedom and Fun - July 2, 2011

For the fifth year in a row the Evanston Civic Chorus performed at the Fresh Air, Freedom and Fun Festival at Hamblin Park.  As is our custom, we sang songs from our summer lineup as well as some patriotic tunes.  This was the program:

• In the Good Old Summertime
• You Are the New Day
• Let Me Fly
• O Eyes of My Beloved
• America the Beautiful
• God Bless America
• Wyoming
• The Star-Spangled Banner

Comments from the audience indicate that this was our most successful concert yet in this venue, since Kirk rigged up the mics for us.  Singing outdoors is always a challenge, especially when it's windy and you're competing with other noises.

Enjoy the pictures Christine took for us!

by Sara

Saturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July...

What a great performance at Hamblin Park! Ok, it was the 2nd, but it was for the 4th of July celebration! This was our first time using microphones, and I have to say I thought it went very well! Did you all hear any feedback from the audience that you'd like to share here? Add it as a comment!

by Kirk

In the Good Old Summertime - June 20, 2011

(Click to enlarge photos)

Our summer concert this year was sponsored by the Evanston Recreation Department as one of their Monday evening performances at the Bear Tales Fire Circle.  This was our first time performing there, and it turned out to be quite fun.

The weather had turned very chilly leading up to the day of the concert, and the Bear River was running really high.  But when concert time arrived, the fire circle wasn't flooded, the temperature had risen a few degrees, and with the sun shining on us, it was a lot more comfortable than we had imagined it would be.  Still, when you look at the pictures it doesn't exactly look like a summer concert by the way some people were bundled up.

Amanda, Sara, David, Kirk

This was an all a cappella concert, which featured a variety of music including a barbershop tune, madrigals, a spiritual and a couple of patriotic songs.  Amanda, Sara, David and Kirk also sang several songs in a quartet.  This was the program:

In the Good Old Summertime

• In the Good Old Summertime
• You Are the New Day
• Let Me Fly
• Yesterday (quartet)
• Prayer of the Children (quartet)
• Adieu Sweet Amarillis
• O Eyes of My Beloved
• They Were You (quartet)
• Swingle Song (quartet)
• America the Beautiful
• Wyoming

Refreshments were provided by the Rec. Department.  Thanks to Christine and Loretta for taking pictures and for Shayna for getting us into the newspaper.  Thanks also to Glen for taking the video.

by Sara

The ECC's Summer Concert Happening Next Week

It's already time for the summer concert of the ECC.  It's taking place next Monday, June 20th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bear Tales Fire Circle.  The Evanston Recreation Department is sponsoring the concert, and they will provide refreshments.

This is going to be a fun a cappella concert.  We've got some madrigals, spirituals, barbershop and patriotic songs prepared.  Bring your family and friends - it's free!

The fastest way to get to the fire circle is to park by the Debbie Smith Bridge, across from Hamblin Park on Bear River Drive.  It's just a short walk along the path once you cross the bridge and turn left.  You can also park at the Bear Pavilion by the Ice Ponds and take the walkway.  It's a little longer, but very scenic walk.

by Sara

Memorial Day Observance - May 30, 2011

Again this year the Civic Chorus was invited to participate in the Memorial Day Community Observance.  And just like last year it was held in the Roundhouse.  However, this year the organizers set everything up facing a different direction.  So we weren't on the stairs again, or even in the balcony.  They situated the Chorus to the right of the stage, and I think it worked really well.  We were actually standing in several rows instead of strung out in a long line, and I think it helped the ensemble feel.

We had a great turnout from the Chorus, and we sang well.  They even asked us to sing our prelude songs again after the ceremony was over.  Kirk commented, "It was our best performance to date at the Memorial Day service."  I guess we're getting pretty good at this set of songs.


Prelude

• My Country 'Tis of Thee
• America the Beautiful
  

Program

• The Star-Spangled Banner
• Armed Forces medley
• God Bless America

Becca took some great pictures for us!

by Sara

The Arts In Evanston - What's Happening Now!

I've added a new feature to our website on the left sidebar.  It's a list of current Arts events in Evanston.  Any of our readers who want to submit information about events you are involved in or know about may contact me using this form.  I'd like to post information about concerts, plays, art exhibits, and anything else artsy.  I'll send out an occasional post about events, and have everything listed on the website in a central location.

Two concerts coming up:

• Jazz Night, featuring EHS Vocal Jazz and Missalayneous.  Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 pm in the EHS lobby.  Tickets: $2.00/person or $5.00/family.  Complimentary refreshments served during the show.
• Evanston Civic Orchestra Spring Masterworks.  Saturday, May 7th at 7:00 pm at Kemmerer High School and Saturday, May 14th at 7:00 pm at Davis Middle School in Evanston.  There will be a reception after the May 14th concert.  The concerts are free.  The orchestra will perform works by Schubert, Dvorak, Bruch and Bach. 

Both concerts should be really fun.  The HS Jazz Choirs will perform a variety of Jazz tunes they've worked on since September, including songs they performed at several festivals recently.

Several local musicians will be featured at the Orchestra's concert.  Teenage siblings Bethany and Ben will perform the Bach Double Violin Concerto with the orchestra.  They are very good.  Melissa from Kemmerer will be featured on cello in the Bruch piece.  Her cello playing is absolutely exquisite.  If you need something to fill your soul, this is it.

by Sara

Practice Help - Video and Audio Files

I've added a new feature to the website - a list with links to video/audio files of some of the songs we're currently rehearsing.  The list is found on the Rehearsal Schedule page.

Using these links to practice between rehearsals is a great way to become familiar with the songs through repetition.  It also is a great way to keep up with the group if you miss a rehearsal.

Keep in mind that some of the phrasing and other musical interpretations are different than Kirk wants.  I recommend you make a conscious effort in every sing-through to sing it like he has instructed us, even if you have to ignore what you're hearing at times.  That way you'll form good habits you won't have to break later.  Happy singing!

by Sara

On Broadway - A Great Concert! - April 13, 2011

What a fun concert we had recently!  We performed in the choir room at the High School, and it was packed.  The audience was very enthusiastic about the program.  The Chorus sang a few tunes from musical theater, and soloists from the Chorus performed.  They were really fun to listen to - and watch.  Check out video from the concert on this PLAYLIST.  Thanks to Glen for taking the video.  It's kind of neat the cool things he did with the mirror.  In some shots you can see the accompanist in the background behind the soloist.

Thanks to Jay for taking pictures for us.  And thanks to Deborah from the Uinta County Herald.  She wrote a great review for the paper.

The refreshments were great.  Audience and Chorus mingled for at least an hour after the concert, despite the warm temperature in the room!

The Chorus resumes rehearsal this Wednesday, April 27th at 7:00 in the choir room.  New members are welcome.  We'll be working on patriotic songs, as well as some other tunes, including a couple of madrigals and a spiritual.  So far we have 3 summer performances lined up.

by Sara

I'm Looking Forward to Our Spring Concert This Week!

Last week was the dress rehearsal for our spring concert, On Broadway.  This is going to be a really fun concert.  The Chorus has prepared quite a few songs, including two by just the women and one by the men.  We heard the soloists at rehearsal last week also, and the audience is in for a real treat.

The concert is free and refreshments will be served.  So, of course you'll want to bring your whole family.  It's at 7:00 in the EHS choir room on Wednesday, April 13th.

If anyone wants to donate food items to The Lord's Storehouse or make cash contributions to the Strand Theater renovation project, we will accept them that evening.

by Sara

Happening Things!

Hello singers! We're just a few weeks away from our Broadway Musicals concert this April 13th. It's time to start inviting our friends and family.

Just a reminder that we will not be having a normal rehearsal this Wednesday because both Sara and I will be out of town. Instead, the room will be open and available for all to come in and work in sections, or to work on their solos for the concert.

Also, make sure you get down to see Sagebrush Theatre's production of "Bleacher Bums," featuring ECC members Ted Mitchell, Drew Cope, and Suzanne MacEwen. It's a comedy about some die hard Cubs fans up in the nose bleed seats. The show plays this weekend and next weekend (March 25, 26 and April 1, 2) at the Annex Theater on 10th and Summit. The show starts at 7:00 pm.

See you next week!

Kirk Young, Director
Evanston Civic Chorus
Evanston, Wyoming

So much fun.

The Evanston Civic Chorus is a group of citizens who just love to sing. It doesn't matter how good you are, you are just there to have fun. I love it. Now we are singing Broadway tunes from South Pacific, My Fair Lady, etc. Come see us at the High School Choir room every Wednesday eve from 7p.m.-8:30 p.m. Our next concert is April 13th at 7 p.m. in the Choir room.

by John H.

Spring Concert Date Set

A date has been set for our spring concert:

On Broadway

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

7:00 p.m.

EHS Choir Room (103)

Mark your calendars now!
Spring Break is the week after the concert, and after that we will begin working on some new patriotic music for our spring and summer engagements.

by Sara

A Great Turnout!

Last night was the first rehearsal of the spring session, and what a great turnout we had!  If you couldn't make it last night, it isn't too late to join next week.  We did a read-through of the Broadway songs for the April concert.  I'm particularly excited about "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera and "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady.  I'm also getting excited to prepare a piano solo.  I just bought several Broadway solo books.  It is so hard to choose!

by Sara

A New Season!

Hello Singers and ECC Followers!

I am very excited about the upcoming season of the Evanston Civic Chorus. Like Sara mentioned in the previous post, our theme this Spring will be "On Broadway," and we'll be learning and performing music from a variety of Broadway shows.

I love musical theater! I've been involved in several shows as either actor or director. (The picture above is of me as Seymoure in Little Shop of Horrors) There are few things in life that can compare to singing a heart-felt full chorus number as the curtain falls.

It is going to be so much fun singing these songs in rehearsal and for our friends and family at our concert in April. I'd like to extend an invitation to those interested to work up solos or small ensemble songs that fit into our theme. Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, January 26. We'll need to re-register everyone at that time, and then we'll jump right into our music!

See you soon!

Kirk Young, ECC Director

ON BROADWAY - Spring Session Starts Soon

On Broadway is the theme for the spring concert this year, and rehearsals are starting soon.  The Chorus will perform several songs from the following musicals:

• My Fair Lady
• South Pacific
• Phantom of the Opera
• Man of La Mancha
• Rent 
• Wildcat
• All That Jazz

Chorus members can also try out for solos and small ensembles.  It doesn't matter what you sing or play, as long as it's from a musical.

Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Evanston High School choir room (103), starting January 26th.

Registration is $10.00 and begins at the first rehearsal.  New members are welcome!

Feel free to share this post with your friends who might like to come sing with us.

by Sara