Christmas Madrigal Concert at the Episcopal Church - December 14, 2008

On Sunday the 14th, the Civic Chorus presented a Christmas madrigal concert at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.  This concert was very different from our Christmas performance last year because we sang everything a cappella, with a little bit of recorder by Sara and Holly.  It was a treat for me to get to sing, and I worked really hard to be able to play some alto recorder.  Suzanne wove some readings throughout the program between songs.  Nelle played a harpsichord medley of "Coventry Carol" and "Sussex Carol."  The acoustics were great, and the church was the perfect size for our group.  The Chorus sang these songs:

• Here We Come a Wassailing
• The Boar’s Head Carol
• The Holly and the Ivy
• What Child is This?
• Masters in This Hall
• God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Most of the songs were pretty traditional arrangements, but "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" was a very modern, cool arrangement.  I suspect we will probably sing it again another year.

It really was a neat experience to sing in the church.  I hope we do it again.  Thanks to the Evanston Study Club for providing refreshments in the parish hall.

by Sara

ECC Sings at Dedication of Uinta County Museum - July 5, 2008

On July 5th the Civic Chorus participated in the Dedication and Grand Opening of the Uinta County Museum. It seemed appropriate that we sing songs with historical significance. They just happen to be some of our favorites, too:

• Hard Times
• Cool Water
• God Bless America

The ceremony started at 11:30 a.m., which was a little early for some of us who were up late with fireworks. But it felt good to be a part of this civic event. And the refreshments were tasty.

Fresh Air, Freedom, and Fun - July 4, 2008

Today we sang at the city's Fresh Air, Freedom, and Fun festival in celebration of Independence Day.  This performance and the one tomorrow at the museum dedication are our only summer gigs, as Kirk is working out of town for most of the summer.  Since he was planning to be back in town for the holiday, he lined us up again this year.  The chorus members wanted to learn some new songs, so I volunteered to run some rehearsals in his absence.  We met in the rectory at St. Paul's Episcopal Church for a few weeks and prepared this program:

Rectory - St. Paul's Episcopal Church

• Star-Spangled Banner
• When Johnny Comes Marching Home
• Tenting Tonight
• Cool Water
• Hard Times
• Shenandoah
• Wyoming
• God Bless America

To celebrate our hard work and preparation, I invited the chorus to my house for our dress rehearsal last night.  We rehearsed our set and then enjoyed homemade ice cream in homemade waffle cones out on the front lawn.  Thanks go to my husband Glen for the yummy treat!

by Sara