Waukesha Choral Union Announces 2010-2011 Season

The Waukesha Choral Union (WCU) is pleased to announce its 2010-2011 season of concerts, “Putting Together a Community of Singers.” Music director Ernest “Ernie” Brusubardis, III, in his third season, has programmed four concerts in this collaborative season.

· October 16. 2010 “Rejoice in the Lamb: a Choral Tapestry” WCU shares the stage with the choirs of Carroll University.

· “Olde English Christmas” December 10 and 12, 2010.

· March 27, 2011 A 30-plus year tradition continues as WCU presents a free concert of “Handel’s Messiah,” including full orchestra and soloists.

· “All Beethoven Concert” April 30, 2011 with orchestra.

“The Waukesha Choral Union continues a long tradition of collaborating with other musicians and groups, putting together pieces of the very colorful and diverse arts community in which we live,” said Brusubardis. “I invite everyone to take part in our season of exciting live music performed in great venues by our community’s great ensembles.”

“REJOICE IN THE LAMB: A CHORAL TAPESTRY”

Saturday, October 16, 2010 8:00 p.m. Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University, Waukesha

The Carroll University Choirs under the direction of Dr. Kristina Boerger join the Waukesha Choral Union. Each group will present their own selection of songs from all ages of the English Choral repertoire, including texts of famous English poets set to music, then combine to sing Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb.” Written in 1943, this festival cantata from one of the great composers of the 20th century features choir, organ, and soloists. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors/students, $4 children 11 and under.

“AN OLDE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS”

Friday, December 10, 2010 8:00 p.m. St. Luke’s Church, Waukesha

Sunday, December 12, 2010 3:00 p.m. St. Catherine’s Church, Oconomowoc

Traditional English carols, holiday favorites and an audience sing-along, presented in two beautiful area church settings, make this a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas. The centerpiece of these performances will be Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” for choir, soloists, and harp. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors/students, $4 children 11 and under.

“A GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY: HANDEL’S MESSIAH”

Sunday, March 27, 2011 3:00 p.m. Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University, Waukesha

A 30 year-old tradition of presenting a free concert for the community continues for the Waukesha Choral Union. Handel’s “Messiah” has become one of the most popular works in Western choral literature. Divided into three parts, “Messiah” covers the prophecies concerning the Christ, the birth, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and finally the End Times with Christ's final victory over death and sin. Any singer who wishes to participate is welcome to take part in the weeklong preparation for this annual choral event. The concert is free to the public with all costs, including orchestra and soloists, covered completely by contributions from the business community, individuals, and foundations.

“ALL BEETHOVEN CONCERT”

Saturday, April 30, 2011 8:00 p.m. Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University

Ludwig van Beethoven was the most crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, and remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time. In the “All Beethoven Concert,” Waukesha Choral Union will present excerpts from his Choral Mass in C, and the “Choral Fantasy,” for piano, orchestra and chorus. The opening piano solo, an examples of what Beethoven's keyboard improvisation must have been like, is followed, after an orchestral link, by a set of variations on a childlike theme foreshadowing the Ode to Joy theme in the Ninth Symphony. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors/students, $5 for children 11 and under.

Season ticket packages, with savings of up to twenty percent over regular prices, are available through October 16, 2010 online at http://www.ChoralUnion.org or by phone at 414-297-9310.

Waukesha Choral Union will conduct auditions for the 2010-2011 season on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in the Waukesha South High School Choir Room beginning at 7:00 p.m. by appointment.

As the premiere vocal group in the area, the Waukesha Choral Union has been musically active in the community for over 50 years. Originally a combination of the Carroll College student chorus and community singers known as the Waukesha Choral Society in 1949, the group became the Town and Gown in 1961 and the Waukesha Choral Union in 1974, taking its present form as an auditioned choir in 1978. For more information, visit http://www.ChoralUnion.org

Further information: Jim LaBelle, 262-901-5325 marketingmanager@choralunion.org