Mendelssohn's Elijah

Sunday, March 15, 2015

at 2:30 p.m.

Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts

Leslie Ann Bradley, Soprano
Krisztina Szabó, Mezzo-soprano
Adrian Kramer, Tenor
Jeremy Bowes, Baritone

Kingston Symphony: Evan Mitchell, Conductor
Kingston Choral Society: Ian Juby, Chorus Master

From its first performance in 1846 Elijah was hailed as the greatest oratorio since Handel's Messiah.

In 1896 George Grove confirmed that view and asked, "What more does any work of musical art require?" Grove continued: "Fortunately every additional fact that is elicited about this great composer testifies all the more to his insight, to the depth and warmth of his feelings, and to the indefatigable earnestness with which he worked until he had the entire meaning of his text and expressed it in music to the utmost of his power and with all the dramatic force that it was capable of."

Mendelssohn's choral masterpiece recounts the story of Biblical prophet Elijah with imposing grandeur through inspired orchestration, beautiful arias, dramatic recitatives, and uplifting choruses.

The program notes, in a pdf file, for the March 15th performance of Elijah are available to be viewed here.

Upcoming Concerts

Candlelight Christmas

Tuesday & Wednesday,

December 16 & 17, 2014

at 7:30 p.m.

St. George's Cathedral

Evan Mitchell, Conductor
Kingston Choral Society
Ian Juby, Chorus Master

The Kingston Choral Society, together with the Kingston Symphony, has for many years performed the Candlelight Christmas concert at St. George's Cathedral.

Evan Mitchell, as the new conductor and music director for the Kingston Symphony, begins his collaboration with the Choral Society in December 2014 with this much-loved tradition, an annual sold-out event.

Familiar festive music, including favourite carols and the Hallelujah Chorus, provide audience members the chance to join in. Other inspiring orchestral works will be offered by the Symphony.

At the two Candlelight Christmas concerts this December the Choral Society will be performing three pieces specially prepared for the occasion, "Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas" by Craig Courtney, John Rutter's "What Sweeter Music," and Eric Whitacre's "Sleep."

Candlelight Christmas is a celebration for the entire family to enjoy, promising once again to raise our spirits.

Please print and post our poster!

Mozart's Requiem

Sunday, March 23, 2014

2:30 p.m.

Kingston Gospel Temple

Allison Angelo, Soprano
Jennifer Routhier, Mezzo-Soprano
Christopher Mayell, Tenor
Bruce Kelly, Baritone
Glen Fast, Conductor
Kingston Choral Society

Mozart: Requiem

Mozart's Requiem is both his last and one of his greatest works. Incomplete at his death, the subject of the movie Amadeus, and of plays by Pushkin and Peter Shaffer, it remains shrouded in mystery and speculation. A powerful experience for listeners, this is a masterpiece for all time.

Choralpalooza

Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 2:15 p.m.

The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts

Ian Juby, Conductor

The Urban Dictionary defines a "palooza" as "an all-out crazy party; partying at one place with a ton of people like there's no tomorrow." A CHORAL-palooza, by extension, is an all-day party of choral music with a ton of choirs participating. On October 26, 2014 local choirs performed for about twenty minutes each, then joined in a mass choral performance at 3:10 p.m. featuring 400-500 singers singing Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom." But despite the trendy title for this extravaganza, the Kingston Choral Society continued its tradition of excellence in vocal music, singing for the first time in the magnificent setting of the newly opened Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.

The Kingston Choral Society performed three works:

'O Magnum Mysterium" a motet by Jacob Gallus, first published in 1586;

Felix Mendelssohn's "He, Watching over Israel" from Elijah;

Ola Gjeilo's "The Ground" an anthem from the last movement of Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass.

'Till the Boys Come Home

Saturday, June 7, 2014 3:00 p.m.
Sydenham Street United Church
82 Sydenham Street, Kingston, Ontario

The North Lakeshore Mass Chorus featured the Kingston Choral Society and guests in a band and choral tribute to the soldiers of the First Contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who sailed to Europe 100 years ago in October 1914. The afternoon included such favourites as:
"Farewell to Nova Scotia," "Keep the Home Fires Burning," "The Maple Leaf Forever" and "Let there be Peace on Earth."

Music Directors Ian Juby and Judy Scott-Jacobs took the large and appreciative audience on a journey through music of the era, with everyone joining in the singing of well-known tunes of the day such as: "It’s a Long Way to Tipperary," "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag," "K-K-K-Katy" and "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning!" Clare Gordon accompanied a choir of 120 singers from Kingston, Cobourg and Toronto on the piano, and Sgt. Sylvain Gagnon conducted the Communications and Electronics Vimy Band.

Carmina Burana

Saturday, November 9, 2013

7:30 p.m.

Kingston Gospel Temple

Carla Huhtanen, Soprano
David Trudgen, Tenor
Michael Nyby, Baritone

Richard Lee, Guest Conductor
Kingston Choral Society
Queen's Choral Ensemble
Cantabile Children's Choir

Carl Orff: Carmina Burana

As a chorus of medieval fair maidens once uttered forth "a thousand joys," so too did the Kingston Symphony, Kingston Choral Society, Queen's University Choral Ensemble, and Cantabile Children's Choir, as they unleashed the musical gusto of Orff's Carmina Burana. With over 200 musicians performing, the vitality of the driving rhythms and powerful melodies were shared in this popular 20th-century masterpiece.

KCS & Orchestra Kingston

Sunday, May 4, 2014 2:30 p.m.
Salvation Army Citadel
816 Centennial Dr, Kingston Ontario

John Palmer

The Kingston Choral Society joined forces with Orchestra Kingston led by John Palmer at the Salvation Army Citadel.

The program included:

Mozart’s Overture to the Magic Flute

Two Verdi choruses: Va Pensiero and the Anvil Chorus

A traditional Welsh lullaby arranged by John Palmer

Selections from Oklahoma

Candlelight Christmas

Tuesday, December 17, 2013 and
Wednesday, December 18, 2013