Concordia University College of Alberta
Concordia Community Chorus in New York
November 21, 2005
The 95 singers from the Concordia Community Chorus have just arrived back from their New York concert at Carnegie Hall, where they sang Haydn's Paukenmesse (Mass in Time of War) under the direction of Dr. Richard Sparks (who also conducts Pro Coro Canada in Edmonton). The invitation, offered by MidAmerica productions in New York City (at the suggestion of Dr. Sparks), was presented last November, and the Chorus was eager to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience to sing onstage at Carnegie Hall.
Rehearsals began in earnest here in Edmonton in May, and continued through much of the summer until the final rehearsals were happening in New York in a church basement on Saturday, Nov. 5; this rehearsal, our first as a corporate choir (we joined three other small choirs from around the United States), was very exciting and was eight hours long! But Dr. Sparks knew what was needed, so that all 200 voices were in good form even at the end of that long day. Sunday, Nov. 6, was the big day, with the dress rehearsal in the morning at Carnegie, and the concert in the afternoon. This Haydn mass was the first half of the concert; the second half was another choir of 200 voices, made up of several (mostly Lutheran) choirs from the US, singing John Leavitt's Christmas works, under the direction of the composer.
All 400 singers from the concert (as well as some guests, who included our Concordia President and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Kraemer!) were treated to a post-concert dinner and cruise in the New York harbour, a delightful way to conclude the concert experience!
Monday was a day off for the singers, and many took advantage of sight-seeing and shopping, with most of the Chorus returning home to Edmonton on Tuesday. There are many stories to tell along the way, and each person has had individual highlights and occasions to speak of, but the general experience has been incredibly positive and fulfilling – with many of the Chorus saying they would love to go back to explore New York City even more! The highlights, of course, were the music-making and being on that particular stage; other big occasions were the opportunities to attend an opera at the Met, or to see a Broadway show, or to visit Hershey's chocolate factory, or to take the trip up the Empire State Building, or to attend a Saturday Mass at St. Philip's Cathedral, or to stay at the Grand Hyatt hotel which was so accessible to everything we needed to see and do!
We are back from this wonderful musical adventure, enriched and grateful, and sharing pictures through our website! Thank you for your prayer support throughout our adventure, and for your excitement along with us.
Submitted by Dr. Joy Berg, conductor