12/9, KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble: Wintersongs

KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble presents:

KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble: Wintersongs

Sunday, December 9, 5:00pm-7:00pm, San Rafael

MORE INFO: http://www.kitka.org

“A refreshing spin on traditional seasonal choral music… A thoroughly marvelous concert!” – National Public Radio

Few things evoke the magic of the winter holidays as the transcendent splendor of the human voice raised in song. Kitka has researched and discovered a treasure-trove of seasonal music from a wide variety of Eastern European ethnic and spiritual traditions. “Wintersongs” showcases material ranging from rousing Slavic folk carols to lush, meditative Eastern Orthodox sacred choral works… from mesmerizing pre-Christian incantations for the longest nights of the year to Yiddish chants for Chanukah to original new pieces inspired by the beauty and mystery of wintertime.

Kitka engages in a unique repertoire development process. Each member of the ensemble works closely with native master folk singers and ethnomusicologists, listens to rare archival recordings of traditional Balkan, Baltic, Caucasian, and Slavic singers and choral ensembles, or traces the seasonal musical legacies of her own ethnic heritage.

Now celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, Kitka, which means “bouquet” in Bulgarian and Macedonian, began as a grassroots group of singers from diverse ethnic and musical backgrounds who shared a passion for the stunning dissonances, asymmetric rhythms, intricate ornamentation, and resonant strength of traditional Eastern European women’s vocal music. Since its informal beginnings, the group has evolved into an internationally-recognized professional ensemble known for its artistry, versatility, and mastery of the demanding techniques of Balkan and Slavic vocal styling. Through a busy itinerary of live and broadcast performances, recording, educational programs, master artist residencies, commissioning programs, and adventuresome collaborations, Kitka has exposed millions to the haunting beauty of their unique repertoire.

These concerts celebrate the release of Kitka’s new holiday album, Evening Star.

DATE/TIME:
Sunday, December 9
5:00pm-7:00pm

LOCATION:
Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts at the Osher Marin JCC
200 North San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA, 94903
415-444-8000
http://www.marinjcc.org/aboutus/location/

COST/TICKETS/REGISTRATION:
$10-$35.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kitka-wintersongs-dec-9-2018-tickets-50551121766

MORE INFO:
Website: http://www.kitka.org
Email:
Phone: 510-444-0323
Contact: Shira Cion, Executive Director

About KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble:
‘KITKA has gained an international reputation for bringing a contemporary perspective to the sumptuous harmonies, striking dissonances, and angular rhythms of traditional Eastern European music. The ravishing textures of their voices singing in haunting cadences and unfamiliar languages make KITKA’s performances enthralling.’ -SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS