Sonoran Desert Chorale Presents O BRITANNIA A BRITISH INVASION

The Sonoran Desert Chorale begins its 23rd Season with a tribute to all things British As it prepares for its sixth European tour, this time to Ireland and Scotland, the Chorale focuses on the United Kingdom and its rich choral traditions.

In this first concert, works from the Renaissance to current day offer a wide emotional range and are sung in eight or more choral parts. With pieces by such greats as Gibbons, Byrd, Rutter, Tavener, as well as The Beatles, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, O Britannia! A British Invasion performances will take place Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 7:30 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Avenue, Mesa and Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale.

Season Subscriptions and single concert tickets are now on sale. Tickets may be purchased online at SonoranDesertChorale.org or by calling 480-305-4538. Save and buy tickets early! Advance single ticket prices are $18 for adults/$15 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Ticket prices at the door are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors/students.

About O Britannia!
Rich, textured pieces fill the first half of the concert. Paul Mealor's Ubi Caritas, composed for the wedding of HRH Prince William to Catherine Middleton, and Gustav Holst's Nunc Dimittis utilize close harmonies and eight voice parts.

For Svyati by John Tavener, an intense 14-minute "dialogue" between voices and cello, the Chorale is joined by special guest cellist, Li Ma. Mrs. Ma began her cello studies at the age of nine in her native China and went on to become principal cellist of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. Now a resident of the Phoenix area, she teaches, plays with the Phoenix and Scottsdale Symphony orchestras, and is principal cellist and soloist for the Chandler Symphony Orchestra.

After intermission, a marvelous set of six songs by John Rutter - Fancies - will highlight the Chorale's new accompanist, Mutsumi Mori. Ms. Mori, known for accompanying regional and high school choirs throughout the Valley will delight concertgoers with her talented fingers as they fly through melodic acrobatics.. The music is light and cheerful with lyrical folk melodies. This half of the concert will also feature well-loved songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. From Blackbird to Yesterday, these familiar tunes take on a new dimension when sung by the full power of 60 voices from the Sonoran Desert Chorale.

Celebrate the wonderful music of England's finest choral composers as the Chorale presents O Britannia! A British Invasion.

About the Chorale
About the Chorale Sonoran Desert Chorale was founded in 1994 and is led by Music Director Jeff Harris. Since its inception, the group has become a highly regarded and sophisticated choral organization, presenting musical compositions from cultures around the globe as well as important pieces from the European and American music traditions. Concerts frequently include guest performances and collaborations with distinguished artists and organizations in the community such as the Phoenix Children's Chorus, The Southwest Brass, Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band and the Four Seasons Symphony. The Chorale has engaged in five European concert tours, with performances throughout Europe, including Venice, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana, Bayeux, Rouen, Chartres, and Strasbourg. The Chorale was invited to perform with Broadway superstar Michael Crawford for the inaugural concert of the $150 million Mesa Arts Center. The Chorale was selected to appear at the Western Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Salt Lake City, UT.

For more information, high-resolution images, or to schedule an appearance or interview, please contact Laura Schairer at 480-797-3111.