Augusta Choral Society, Inc.

Please go to https://www.augustacs.org/christmas-event.html to see this and two other ACS Christmas videos. In December of 2020, we can offer only a glimpse from the ACS. We are all hoping for an opportunity to assemble the entire Augusta Choral Society before summer! Meanwhile, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.

https://www.augustacs.org/2020-performances.html We now have five videos posted on our augustacs website.

Watch here for the results of a special project; that is, if you can "bear" it.

Like everyone else, we're having trouble finding a way to rehearse and perform. Therefore, we're having to cancel our October performance. Just in case of a vaccine miracle, we're holding onto the December concert for now. If all goes well, we will certainly be back for a March concert and hope to present CREATION by Haydn.

I am a fortunate fellow. Now in my 21st season with the Augusta Choral Society, I can clearly see that the ensemble has navigated its way through several distinct phases, each with its own assets and liabilities. And although the current iteration does have both, it also has risen to the occasion famously twice this fall. Our "Hallow E'en" concert in October was, in my opinion, an artistic success, with the chorus wrestling with and conquering an interestingly challenging P...uccini Messa. And then there was the distinctly differently Jabberwocky on the same bill. Polar opposites, but performed with equal aplomb. This past Saturday night (12/14) the ACS undertook what I describe as a collage program: lots of different pieces (related by theme) with some "fluff" and "meat" and something in-between. The "meat" came with the Vaughan-Williams and Holst selections and the chorus met both of those meritoriously. The "fluff" was actually more demanding that was first thought, but the chorus also worked through those issues and delivered all selections with insight and inspiration. More fortunately, perhaps, was that we were joined in our concert not only by the outstanding and uplifting Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra, but also by Palmetto Girls Sing from Greenwood, SC. Prepared and directed by Amy Fennell, these young women joined with the ACS for two selections and performed by themselves on a third. We were amazed and left breathless by their concert awareness and demeanor. Their angelic voices simply soared. Further, our two soloists, who also sing frequently with the ACS, Laurie Orth and Sawyer Branham brought not only professional preparation and talent to the performance, but raised our bar of expectations for all other guest soloists. Augusta is so fortunate to have vocal musicians of their caliber in our midst. One of the blessings and curses of music-making is that the final product is ephemeral: it's transitory, temporary, and intangible. It's a wisp of smoke and dissolves into the ether leaving us with the memory and, hopefully, with a lasting and noteworthy impression. That's the blessing. The curse is that, once performed, the smoke dissolves and it's time to move on to another musical challenge. Our next challenge begins in January as we begin our preparation of the Cherubini Requiem. Let's take what we learned about making music, singing together, and performing as we take up this next major work. So, a successful concert behind us and another challenge before us. I am a fortunate fellow.

Porter Stokes invites the audience to sing with us.

AT ST PAUL'S CHURCH, 605 REYNOLDS ST, AUGUSTA GA

Despite competing with the Augusta Christmas parade, the Augusta Choral Society will celebrate the season with the Lyra Vivace CO, soloists, and a guest choir on SATURDAY, 12/14/19 at 730pm. AT ST PAUL'S CHURCH 605 Reynolds St. Get tickets now and make plans to arrive, find parking, and be seated in time for each delicious musical morsel. https://www.augustacs.org/

These three guys were at the center of Italian 19th c. opera - Puccini, Verdi, and Leoncavallo. Can a chorus do justice to music that's basically operatic? If they have an orchestra like Lyra Vivace, they have a chance - and though some of this music has a religious text, it all has an operatic feel. And we end the concert with the most spectacular bit of fun. Come! Tickets online https://www.augustacs.org/store/c1/Featured_Products.html or at the door.

The risers are up for the Augusta Choral Society's opening concert this Saturday at 7:30 at Sacred Heart. Puccini's Messa di Gloria; Leoncavallo's Bell Chorus from Pagliacci; Verdi's Anvil Chorus from Il trovatore and Pottle's Jabberwocky to get us in the Halloween spirit. Tickets online at augustacs.org or at the door Saturday night.

Coming SATURDAY! 10/26. Join us! See https://www.augustacs.org

What? Heavy metal? The ACS October concert: 10/26, 730pm, Sacred Heart. 706-826-4713.

Chi del gitano i giorni abbella? La zingarella! ACS concert on 10/26, 730pm, Sacred Heart CC. Call 706-826-4713 for tickets and information. https://www.augustacs.org/concertsevents.html