Western Reserve Chorale performs free holiday concert Dec. 3

The Western Reserve Chorale (WRC) will present its traditional Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m., at Disciples Christian Church, 3663 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights. No tickets are necessary.

A reception will follow the concert in the church’s social hall.

WRC, celebrating its 25th year as a community chorus, will honor the late John Roberts, who passed away last spring at the concert. He was one the founders of the chorus and served as its conductor for 10 years.

The chorale invites all who may have sung with the group at any time in its history to attend the performance. 

The group will continue to celebrate its anniversary during 2017 with concerts in March and June.

WRC is led by conductor David Gilson, who teaches choral conducting at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM).

The December program includes Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams, featuring baritone soloist Matthew Brennan, a CIM student. The concert will also feature two collections of seasonal settings, the first by Jackson Berkey (arranger for Mannheim Steamroller), and the second, two spirituals by William Dawson.

Also to be performed are works by Palestrina, Bach, Verdi and Rutter, along with two recent pieces by Norwegian composer Kim Andre Arenson. A Nigerian composition will be accompanied by three drummers. There will also be a flutist and cellist accompanying several of the numbers. 

The ensemble has a roster of nearly 100 singers and welcomes all Greater Cleveland residents to celebrate with them at this anniversary concert. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening, 7:15–9:30 p.m., at the church. For more information, call Joanne Poderis at 216-791-0061 or visit WRC's Facebook page.

Marcia Polevoi

Marcia Polevoi is a member of the Western Reserve Chorale and does some public relations work for the organization.

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Volume 9, Issue 12, Posted 11:55 AM, 11.30.2016