GRINNELL ORATORIO SOCIETY
John Rommereim, director
Monday, August 29, 7:00 pm Sebring-Lewis Hall
First rehearsal
Saturday, September 24, 7:30 pm Sebring-Lewis Hall
Family Weekend mini-concert
Wednesday, November 2 8:00 pm Herrick Chapel
Simon Estes collaborative concert
Friday, November 11, 7:30 pm Sebring-Lewis Hall
Fall Concert
Sunday, December 11, 1:00 pm, Herrick Chapel
Messiah Sing-Along
Friday, April 20, 7:30 pm Sebring-Lewis Hall
Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts, with the Grinnell Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, April 22, 4:00 pm St. John's Lutheran Church, Des Moines
Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts, with the Grinnell Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, May 6, 2:00 pm, Sebring-Lewis Hall
Spring Concert
FAQ
In this fact sheet, we will attempt to answer some common questions regarding the Grinnell Oratorio Society.
1. Why the strange name? It makes me nervous. Does this involve doilies and musty old photos? I'm glad you asked. We have chosen this somewhat peculiar name as a way of linking the group to Grinnell's past: Originally founded in 1901, the Grinnell Oratorio Society was, in the early decades of the 20th Century, one of Iowa's most important musical institutions. We have been fortunate to have wonderfully talented and committed members in this group in the more recent past; the choir has accomplished great things over the years, including performances of many of the masterpieces from the choral literature, such as the Brahms Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, and his Grand Mass in C Minor, Beethoven's Mass in C Major, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, beloved works such as Eric Whitacre's "Hebrew Love Songs," -- even Britten's monumental War Requiem. We hope that the membership can be expanded in the coming year, and the ensemble can raise the roof with an even more robust sound, returning to the glory days of the Oratorio Society in the early part of the 20th century, when the ensemble numbered around 175.
2. What kind of repertoire does the choir sing? In November, we're planning on singing a varied program in a joint concert with the Grinnell Singers. The concert includes an especially wide variety of works. The centerpiece of the concert is Josef Rheinberger's (1839-1901) Mass in E Flat Major for double choir, which we will perform together with the Grinnell Singers. This is a rich, lyrical piece with sumptuous, eight-part harmonies. You'll find that the melodies that you sing in this piece will stay with you all week and nourish your soul. The concert includes the contemporary English composer John Tavener's evocative "Svyati" (with Yoo-Jung Chang playing a soulful cello accompaniment), the familiar "Salvation is Created," by Pavel Chesnokov, "Earth's Remotest Bound," a shape-note influenced piece by John Rommereim, "In splendoribus Sanctorum," by James MacMillan, which is a rather simple, yet evocative piece, with a soaring off-stage trumpet; and several colorful folk-based works from a variety of traditions: "Trepute Martela," by the Latvian composer Vaclovas Augustinas, a playful and highly rhythmic piece that involves percussion and several recorders, "Fre O," a Haitian folksong by Sten Källman, the Indian influenced "Desh" by Ethan Sperry, and the rousing gospel-influenced setting of a Whitman poem, "My Spirit is Uncaged," by Paul Rardin. Most of these works can be found in recordings on itunes if you'd like to check them out beforehand. For the Rheinberger Mass, I especially recommend the Kansas City Chorale's recording. Looking ahead to the spring, we are planning on collaborating with the Grinnell Jazz Ensemble for performances of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts, with performances in Sebring-Lewis Hall and St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines.
3. Why should I take the time to sing on Monday nights? In these tough economic times, here is a healthy, non-violent, positive activity that is free, that brings people together from different parts of the community, and that enables people to be directly involved in the performing arts. Music should not be just a spectator sport; here is one way in which we can weave it into our lives, and in the process, enrich the culture of our local community. The music is interesting and varied -- challenging but not impossibly so. You need to sing because singing is good for you and good for the world.
4. I know that singing would be good for me, but I haven't sung since freshman year of high school; are you sure you want me in the choir? The choir membership ranges widely in ability, from fabulous sight-readers and experienced musicians who seem to be able to sing anything placed in front of them, to people who haven't sung much whose voices are a little rusty and who are a little iffy when it comes to note-reading. The magic of it is that we all work together and make something beautiful. Yes, we really do want you in the choir. It's my job as the conductor to help you improve in your abilities and to do whatever I can to help you to make a solid contribution to the ensemble.
