A FAREWELL TO ARMS: A WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL CONCERT
A TWELFTH NIGHT CONCERT
THE GLORY OF FRANCE
AN ODE TO SPRING
THE CITY CHOIR OF WASHINGTON
IS PLEASED TO PRESENT ITS 2018-2019 SEASON
A FAREWELL TO ARMS: A WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL CONCERT
November 11, 2018 National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C.
The City Choir of Washington opens its twelfth season on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Join us as we commemorate this historic occasion with music by composers who were all very deeply affected by the Great War. Hubert Parry’ s Jerusalem became an unofficial anthem during the war, and Parry himself would succumb to the Spanish flu in 1918.
We will also present two pieces by Gerald Finzi— A Farewell to Arms and In terra pax— who lost three siblings in the war. The highlight of the concert is Vaughan Williams’ stirring cantata, Dona nobis pacem, written in the turbulent time between the first and second World Wars. Despite being quite old for military service, Vaughan Williams himself fought during World War I.
A TWELFTH NIGHT CONCERT
January 6, 2019 National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C.
Bring the joy of the season into the new year by celebrating Twelfth Night with The City Choir of Washington! Also known as the Feast of the Epiphany, Twelfth Night has a long history of varied traditions from around the world. In addition, we will continue our long-standing tradition of showcasing another exceptional, local high school choir as our Partner in Song. Join us as we explore the rich musical offerings of the extended season!
THE GLORY OF FRANCE
March 10, 2019 St. Luke Catholic Church, McLean, VA
In March, The City Choir of Washington transports you to France, with a program of works in the great tradition of French choral music, including the Messe Solennelle by Jean Langlais. We will also perform the great Mass, Op. 60 by the beloved, Washington, D. C. composer Russell Woollen. Woollen was greatly inspired by the French tradition. Like Maestro Shafer, he was a student of Nadia Boulanger.
AN ODE TO SPRING
May 19, 2019 National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C.
The City Choir of Washington’ s twelfth season concludes with a jubilant ode to spring. The concert opens with Purcell’ s buoyant and marvelous Come, Ye Sons of Art, followed by Mozart’ s shimmering and exuberant Regina Coeli, K. 276. The concert concludes with the Kyrie and Gloria from Bach’ s legendary Mass in B minor. These movements were originally written as an independent mass( the Missa of 1733). In the words of Maestro Shafer,“ We need this music now, more than ever.”
TICKETS: $ 15- $ 59. Group discounts available.
Order your tickets today! Visit citychoir. org or call 571-206-8525.