Canton Symphony Chorus Celebrates 30th Anniversary with GERMAN REQUIEM, 2/16

By: Feb. 06, 2014
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30 years ago it was just a dream. Starting humbly and in the shadow of the orchestra (CSO), the Canton Symphony Chorus is stronger than ever. Formed as a volunteer adult ensemble, the chorus is now 65 members strong and able to tackle such major works as Brahms, Berlioz, Mozart and Verdi requiems, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and Orff's Carmina Burana. Last season they performed with the CSO for Mahler's Symphony No. 2.

On Sunday, February 16, the chorus will perform Brahms' German Requiem, one of music's all-time masterpieces and crowd favorite. The Malone University Chorus will join the performance to make the ensemble 125 members strong.

Dr. Britt Cooper, Chorus Director, remarks, "Accepting the directorship of the Canton Symphony Chorus last season was such a privilege. The opportunity to perform major works with a symphony orchestra of this caliber is a rare and treasured opportunity for me and for the members of the Chorus. We look forward to sharing one of the musical monuments of Western Civilization, the Brahms Requiem, with our audience." Along with the chorus, the requiem is scored for soprano and baritone soloists. Soprano Rachel Hall and baritone Brian Keith Johnson will fill these solo parts. Rachel Hall is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and has appeared worldwide in a litany of operatic roles. Mr. Johnson hails from Northeast Ohio and returns to Canton with a stunning global reputation and an extensive resume.

Adding to the Canton Symphony Chorus members are singers from Malone University and Canton Symphony Orchestra's 64 instrumentalists, making the complete production over 210 musicians strong - a grand performance befitting Brahms' German Requiem.

The concert is Sunday, February 16 at 3pm at Umstattd Hall (in McKinley High School). The concert also includes the performance of Ave Verum Corpus, a relatively short motet composed by Mozart only six months prior to his death.

Tickets for the concert range from $25-$45. There are senior, student and group discounts available. Dress is casual and the concert is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Tickets and the full concert season schedule are available online atwww.CantonSymphony.org, by calling 330-452-2094, at the box office window located inside the Cultural Center for the Arts (weekdays 10am-2pm), or by walk-up.

The orchestra has also implemented "Student Rush" pricing this year. Beginning one hour prior to any MasterWorks concert, students may purchase any available ticket for only $10 when they show a valid student ID at the Box Office.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio (at McKinley High School across from C.T. Branin Natatorium). Parking at McKinley High School is free. For more information, please visitwww.CantonSymphony.org.



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