In December 2024, the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale will present a seasonal program of three beautiful works: Francis Poulenc's "Gloria" with a soprano soloist and organ accompaniment, Sarah Quartel's "A Winter Day" scored for piano and cello, and "A Light in the Stable" by Alan Bullard with organ accompaniment.
The Poulenc is one of the major works of the twentieth century choral repertoire, commissioned by the Koussevitsky Foundation in honor of Sergei Koussevitzky and his wife Natalia; it offers a captivating mixture of solemnity and mischievous exuberance. Each movement of Quartel's work depicts a different time of day, beginning with the cold darkness before dawn and concluding with the evening turning into dusk and then darkness. The music conjures up vivid images of a cold and crisp winter, and of swirling, dancing snowflakes. Bullard's work tells the Christmas story with a combination of original music and familiar carols, including audience sing-along opportunities using familiar tunes.
Concerts:
Richmond – Friday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Grace Baptist Church
4200 Dover Rd.
Richmond, VA
Ashland – Sunday, Dec. 15, 3:00 p.m.
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church
201 Henry Street Ashland, VA
Consider joining us!
Do you enjoy singing with a group, mastering challenging choral works, improving your singing talent - and live in the Central Virginia area?
Sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses are all welcome. Although formal musical training is not required, previous experience with choral singing is encouraged. Simple auditions with the director are for vocal placement within the group.
If you are interested in joining us for Winter 2024—Francis Poulenc's "Gloria", Sarah Quartel's "A Winter Day", and "A Light in the Stable" by Alan Bullard—don't hesitate to contact us. Rehearsals begin Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Ashland, VA. Concerts will be held Friday, December 13 at 7:30 at Grace Baptist in Richmond, and Sunday, December 15 at 3pm at Duncan Memorial UMC in Ashland.
Conductor Ryan J. Tibbetts began his tenure as the fourth Artistic Director and Conductor of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale in August 2015. Since 2015, he has also served as the Artistic Director of the Richmond Concert Chorale, and in 2017 he became Director of Music at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Goochland.
Accompanist Daniel Stipe is equally at home as a solo recitalist, collaborator and arranger on both the piano and the organ. His large and varied concert repertory, with special focus on works of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, continues to delight audiences nationwide.