Grass Valley, CA: InConcert Sierra has rescheduled the Sierra Master Chorale (SMC) and Orchestra concerts, conducted by Music Director Alison Skinner, to Sunday, June 23, at 2pm.
In May, the Sierra Master Chorale concerts were postponed. After thirteen weeks of rehearsals for the choir, additional sectional rehearsals and a workshop, and two rehearsals with the orchestra, the unfortunate and appropriate decision to cancel the May 19 and 21 concerts was made due to a Covid outbreak. One day before the concerts, eight positive tests were reported. By the following Wednesday, over one-third of the chorale members, a few orchestra members, and the choral director had all tested positive for Covid. The rehearsals had spread the virus. Interestingly and luckily, other local choirs performed without any infections. Thankfully, it was an isolated event.
The SMC and orchestra will be slightly reduced in numbers due to the rescheduling of the performance. Not everyone could arrange their schedules for the rescheduled concert date. However, those performing will be even more energized to perform an amazing concert program after such a disappointment.
“I’m excited to share this enchanting program celebrating the profound words penned by great poets and writers and then set to music by great composers. The program includes joyful and captivating Shakespearean classics, the soul-stirring poetry of Robert Frost, and many other uplifting works to create a rich tapestry of emotion and inspiration. It’s the kind of experience that will transport everyone to different realms of emotion and thought,” said Skinner.
The concert program opens with the joyous “How Can I Keep from Singing” by Gwenyth Walker. Also featured are beloved selections like “Frostiana” by Randall Thompson, a medley of Broadway hits including “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Sabbath Prayer” from “Fiddler on the Roof,” and a combination of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel” with “Climb Every Mountain” from “The Sound of Music.” Emotions soar with John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth” and Craig Courtney’s exquisite “From Earth to Heaven,” leading into the grand finale of Leonard Bernstein’s showstopper from Candide, “Make Our Garden Grow.”
“The variety in the program ensures that there is something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of musical theater, choral music, or classical repertoire. Themes of hope, beauty, and resilience resonate deeply with us all. The choir’s beautiful sound, combined with the orchestra, promises a profoundly moving experience that will deeply touch both performers and audience members alike,” said Skinner.
The special pricing structure to share the music with everyone possible will be “pay what you can” with a $20 minimum. The concert is free for youth 18 and under.
“Please join us and support the Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra. After extensive preparations and the disappointment of not performing as scheduled, we are excited to share our joy of singing with you. We have emailed all former ticket holders with options for exchanges, donations, or refunds. If you have a ticket from the May concerts and haven’t heard from us, please call the office,” said Julie Hardin, SMC alto and ICS Executive Director.
KNOW AND GO:
What: Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra
When: Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 2pm
Where: 12889 Osborne Hill Road, Grass Valley (Seventh-day Adventist Church)
Tickets: https://inconcertsierra.org or call 530-273-3990