Singing, Community, and Fun are the Focus at Schola Cantorum Summer Sings

Schola Cantorum offers six consecutive Monday evenings of unforgettable music-making through its Summer Sings program, held at the Los Altos United Methodist Church beginning July 11.

Open to all who wish to participate, this annual community sing-along features some of the top Bay Area choral conductors as they lead members of local choirs and the public in belting out the finest works in choral repertoire.

Participants are drawn to the joyful nature of the gathering, and the inclusiveness—anyone can pick up a score at the door and participate, and anyone can solo. And the best part—-no rehearsals! There’s something about the impromptu experience of singing beloved pieces straight through with other music-lovers that makes these events so successful.

Gregory Wait, Schola’s Music Director, calls it a ‘friend-raiser.’ “We’re fortunate to be a sponsor of an event like this and have people come together and enjoy one another’s company, enjoy the leadership of a really good conductor on any given night, and be exposed to the monumental works.”

Studies show that singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, soothing the nerves and elevating the spirit. Singing with a group is even more exhilarating, lessening depression and loneliness. And you don’t have to have a great voice to receive the benefits.

Schola has been providing these feel-good events for 33 consecutive years, the longest track-record of any choral group in the area. They will also offer their 50th anniversary Messiah Sing in December, a Broadway Sing in November, and a Valentine’s Day Sing in February.

Linda Morasch and Fredrick Petri of Hillsborough are underwriting this summer’s event.

The full schedule:

July 11: Beethoven’s “Mass in C Major,” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” conducted by Magen Solomon, Artistic Director, S.F. Choral Artists.

“This evening could be entitled ‘An Engaging Stranger and an Old Friend,’”  Solomon says. “Beethoven’s ‘Mass in C’ is an undeservedly ignored masterpiece… with echoes of Mozart and Haydn and hints of the 9th Symphony and ‘Missa Solemnis’ to come.  Beautiful melodies, dramatic rhythms, varied textures, a gem in all ways and a great deal of fun to sing. Paired with ‘Gloria’ by Vivaldi, the beloved old friend of choral singers everywhere.”

July 18: Bach’s “Magnificat,” and Mozart’s “Requiem,” conducted by Vance George, Conductor Emeritus, S.F. Symphony Chorus. Accompanied by the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra.

July 25: Mozart’s “Mass in C Minor,” and Fauré’s “Requiem,” conducted by Gregory Wait, Music Director, Schola Cantorum; and Director of Vocal Studies, Stanford University.

August 1: Haydn’s “Missa in Tempore Belli,” and Vaughan Williams’s “Dona Nobis Pacem,” conducted by Scot Hanna-Weir, Director of Choral Activities, Santa Clara University; and Artistic Director, Santa Clara Chorale.
 
August 8: Brahms’s “Ein Deutsches Requiem,” conducted by Buddy James, Professor of Music, California State University East Bay. 

August 15: Bach’s “Mass in B Minor,” conducted by Jeffrey Benson, Director of Choral Activities, San Jose State University.

Each Summer Sings begins at 7:30 PM. Admission price is $13 general; ages 25 and under free with valid student ID. As a special savings, Schola offers a Sings FLEX pass: six tickets for $66, to be used as one ticket to attend all six concerts, or to be shared with friends over one or more concerts. Pass must be purchased by July 11. For ticket information: www.ScholaCantorum.org, or 650-254-1700.