Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley announces its 56th Season, featuring the works of Duke Ellington, Kirke Mechem, Felix Mendelssohn, and American composers such as Jake Runestad and Eric Whitacre. The season is the premier for the choir’s new Artistic Director, Buddy James, award-winning Professor of Music at California State University, East Bay. “I chose music that was unquestionably great, and most of which the choir hasn’t performed in recent memory, or ever,” said James. “We’re taking this opportunity to perform works that may be new to Schola’s audiences.” The season opens with “Schola Swings,” a presentation of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts, accompanied by Daddios Big Band. The concert features jazz vocalist Juanita Harris, and two tap dancers from Esprit de la Danse in Cupertino. October 26, 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto; and October 27, 3:00 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church. “The Joys of Christmas” includes holiday music for chorus and harp, with a performance of Kirke Mechem’s “Seven Joys of Christmas,” a mix of traditional and not-so-familiar carols. The audience is invited to sing along to music of the season at concert’s end. December 15, 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph of Cupertino Church in Cupertino. Music from, and inspired by, the Great American West Coast is the theme for “Into the West,” with works by Jake Runestad, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen and other American composers. The concert will include two original compositions written by local composer Eric Tuan, with words by the winners of Schola’s Poetry Writing Competition for teens. February 29, 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto; and March 1, 3:00 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church. The season ends with Mendelssohn’s masterpiece, “Elijah,” an oratorio that tells the story of the Prophet Elijah’s efforts to bring monotheism to Israel during the reigns of Kings Ahab and Ahaziah. The concert, titled “The Prophet Speaks,” includes soloists and the choir accompanied by Sinfonia Schola Cantorum. May 17, 3:00 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church. As part of its community outreach, Schola will offer two events inviting participants to gather for the purpose of singing. The audience becomes the choir at the annual “Messiah Sing,” December 16, 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. An old-fashioned sing-along features the songs of Richard Rodgers in “My Favorite Things,” January 26, 2020, 3:00 p.m. at Los Altos United Methodist Church. Of the season, James said, “I hope the audience and Schola’s singers come away laughing a bit, getting goose bumps, and being moved.” He added, “We hear music all the time on tv, radio and online. But there’s nothing like the magic of a human voice live in a room with the listener.” To purchase season tickets, including a four-concert FLEXPass, and to learn about Buddy James’s pre-show concert previews with insights about the music, visit scholacantorum.org. Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley is a large, auditioned chorus under the baton of Buddy James. Its mission is to connect the Silicon Valley community with the wonders of choral music through outstanding live performances, educational outreach programs, and collaborations with local artists.
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