Eugene Concert Choir

Eugene Concert Choir
Origin Eugene, Oregon, USA
Genres Classical
Years active 1975present
Associated acts Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble
Website www.eugeneconcertchoir.org

Eugene Concert Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit choral organization based in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It consists of two mixed-voice choruses: the 100-member Eugene Concert Choir (ECC), and the semi-professional chamber group Eugene Vocal Arts (EVA). The organization is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, which is the primary performance venue for the choirs. EVAE also regularly performs at The University of Oregon's Beall Hall. Both groups frequently collaborate with the Oregon Mozart Players.

The choir undertakes national and international tours every three or four years. The most recent tours were to Australia in 2003, China in 2006, Europe in 2009, and New York City in 2013.[1][2]

Repertoire

Concert Choir

ECC's focus is on performing choral masterworks, such as Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Berlioz's Requiem, and Handel's Messiah. On April 26, 2008, directed by guest conductor Zvonimir Hačko, the choir presented the American premiere of the Croatian Mass, a 2004 work by the pre-eminent Croatian composer Igor Kuljerić.[3][4] Its most ambitious performance to date is Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, performed on February 25, 2012.[5]

ECC also lightens the concert season by presenting more popular fare.[6] Past performances have included shows titled The Big Band Era, Hot Latin Nights, The Best of Broadway, and British Invasion.

Vocal Arts Ensemble

EVAE performs works more appropriate for a chamber group. These range from Renaissance motets, English madrigals, Romantic art songs, to 20th century jazz, new-age music and contemporary choral music. In 2007, it performed a voice-only arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody, which was originally recorded by the English rock band Queen. This was also the choir's first performance at the new Richard E. Wildish Community Theater in Springfield, Oregon.[7]

In December 2008, after a ten-year hiatus, EVAE brought back their popular "English Madrigal Dinner." Guests were treated to Elizabethan pageantry, song and dance, and a multi-course feast.[8] This event has since converted into a "Renaissance MayFest Dinner," which has many of the same elements, but which focuses on Renaissance music and the coming of springtime.

History

The Eugene Concert Choir was founded in 1975. It was originally called the Eugene Community Chorus. Dr. Diane Retallack joined the organization and became its artistic director in 1985. Retallack went on to form EVAE in the spring of 1976.

Personnel

The organization is also served by a board of directors and many volunteers.

Discography

Notes

External links

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