3 Concerts Celebrating Washington Composers and Performers Set in March
VANCOUVER, Wash. — Reprise Choir Sings presents “The Voice of Washington,” a series of concerts celebrating music by Washington composers and performers to be performed in Camas and Vancouver, including a world debut and an arrangement of Grammy-winning artist Brandi Carlile.
Inspired by the wealth of choral music created by composers from across the Evergreen State, directors Janet Reiter and April Duvic, along with the singers of Reprise Choir, have prepared a rich tapestry of songs displaying the incredible talents of some of our state’s finest composers.
The concert promises to be a feast for both eyes and ears, showcasing choral music, visual art, and dance, as well as including the audience in the performance. Art created by Reprise Choir soprano Jeanine Clark, a local artist and educator, and others will be exhibited. Dancers from Carla Kendall-Bray’s Dance Fusion Northwest dance school will be featured while the choir’s treble voices perform “She Was Dancing” by Tri-Cities composer Reginald Unterseher.
On March 23 and 24, the choir will perform an arrangement of “The Story,” a song off the album of the same name that brought Carlile to acclaim when it was featured on a 2007 episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Reprise Choir will perform the world premiere of “Celebrate Time” by Martin Ellis, a professional organist and music director at Vancouver First United Methodist Church, with text by Reprise singer Amber Tripp.
The series of performances includes compositions by four professors of music: Dr. Donald Appert of Clark College; Dr. Giselle Wyers, University of Washington; Vijay Singh of Central Washington University; and Kirk Marcy of Edmonds College.
Other Washington composers include John Muehleisen; Daniel Schreiner; Karen Thomas, Jason Saunders, Bronwyn Edwards, Judith Herrington, and Melinda Bargreen from the Seattle/Tacoma region, and Judy Rose from Vancouver.
The repertoire in the series was selected to match the mission of the Reprise Choir, which is to present singers, audiences, and community with a wide variety of choral music at the highest artistic level, and to collaborate with student musicians, encouraging them to pursue music throughout their lifetime.
Founded by Duvic and Reiter in 2016, the choir is comprised of their former students, current students, singer friends, area choral directors, and many others.
“In January 2021 when Covid was still holding the world in shut down mode and choirs everywhere were trying to figure out how to bring music to the world again, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join Reprise as they raised their voices in a virtual choir. We needed to make music together in a world gone quiet. The vision of our directors continues to amaze and inspire me, and I am grateful and honored to be singing with this wonderfully talented group of musicians!” Soprano, Lonnie Lathrop.
Jeffrey Cannon, owner/operator of Masterthinkers in Vancouver, joined the ensemble this year. “I have been incredibly lucky to find Reprise Choir,” Cannon said. “It is easy to get lost in the busyness of everyday life, and every rehearsal brings me to a calm center. Listening to the sound surrounding me each time we sing immediately transports me to a tranquil place. The incredible professionalism and musicality of all involved is what creates this impressive experience.”
“I appreciate how Reprise focuses on a lifelong appreciation of music by reaching out to area schools for collaborative concerts every season. My love for choral music blossomed during middle and high school. What I remember most about those days were the outreach events like performing during the holidays at SeaTac airport, traveling on bus tours to Canada and singing in multi-generational concerts. In fifty years, I want our future Reprise members to reminisce fondly about the choir adventures that influenced their decisions to participate in this group.” Retired VPS choir teacher, Katie Hebner.
“Reprise Choir is a highlight of my life. Conductors Janet Reiter and April Duvic, two highly talented pianists in their own right {who have been friends and colleagues for over twenty years) bring out the best in all thirty-six of us. I and four others sing 2nd bass, and we love to hit all those low notes that are favorites to most audiences. Don’t miss out, mark your calendar for March 20th, 23rd or 24th for a night you won’t forget!” First year member, Jim Galbraith.
The Camas performance is set for March 20 at 7 p.m., at Joyce Garver Theater, 1500 NE Garfield St., sharing the stage with Liberty Middle School Lions’ Choirs directed by Erik Edmundson.
Two of the performances will be held at the Vancouver First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd St.:
• Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m.
Concert tickets/info: Suggested donation $20. All donations welcome. No donations required for entry.
For more information, visit www.reprisechoirsings.org, follow Reprise Choir on Facebook/Instagram @RepriseChoirSings https://www.facebook.com/RepriseChoirSings , https://www.instagram.com/RepriseChoirSings
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Liberty Middle School, 1500 Garfield St., Camas, WAVancouver First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd St., Vancouver WA, 7:00 p.m.
Vancouver First United Methodist Church 401 E. 33rd St., Vancouver, WA, 3:00 p.m.
Vancouver, Washington 98993
U.S.
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