Chanticleer rescheduled for two shows on March 1

Grass Valley, CA —  InConcert Sierra will present THE GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer in Grass Valley on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, with shows at 2pm and 6:30pm.

Chanticleer is named for the “clear-singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and is known throughout the world for its seamless blend of twelve male voices. Their program entitled “Awakenings” spans six centuries of music, focusing on the themes of reawakening and dawn, with works by William Byrd, Monteverdi, Ayanna Woods, Augusta Read Thomas and others. The concert concludes with an epic twelve-part work, “Birds of Paradise” by Steven Sametz, in which each singer takes a turn being different birds on their way to transcendence.  

“Singing has not been the safest act this past year,” says Chanticleer music director Tim Keller. “The program is a reflection in music of what we’re all going through.” 

The program has works that speak of renewal and hope, including “The Rewaking” by Augusta Read Thomas and “Sunrise” an arrangement of a recent hit single. The concert will conclude with a Chanticleer staple, Richard Evans’ “Journey to Recife,” arranged by Joseph H. Jennings, who was the group’s music director for over 20 years.

This concert was originally scheduled for January 16 but postponed due to the Omicron surge. InConcert Sierra’s artistic director Ken Hardin said, “the January concert was sold out with a large waiting list, so we’re pleased to be able to provide two shows on March 1 to accommodate more concert-goers.”

Hardin said, “An added reason for scheduling an evening show is because it’s a Tuesday, the extra performance will accommodate both those who work during the day, and importantly, the young composers enrolled in our education program “Composers Project with Mark Vance.” On Saturday, January 6, Chanticleer countertenor Kory Reid worked with the program’s 17 students via Zoom to assist with their current assignment of writing for voice and one instrument

“They are brilliant students – so smart and full of passion for writing music. They impressed me with their profound questions. We’re all impressed the program exists – it’s really amazing,” said Reid.  The composer students are anxious to hear the ensemble and meet Reid in person.

InConcert Sierra’s Covid audience restrictions include a vaccinated-only attendance policy with masks required indoors. The continuation of the mask mandate is also a requirement of the artists so they feel safe performing. In addition, the audience will be limited to half-capacity to allow for social distancing. There will not be a pre-concert forum nor formal intermission and the concert will be approximately 60-70 minutes.

InConcert Sierra, is a Nevada County non-profit organization that presents high-caliber classical music performances and robust music education offerings for all ages.  Founded in 1946, ICS is celebrating 75 years as an integral part of Nevada County’s arts community.