True Concord’s 2017-18 season debuts commissioned work of the Dorothy Dyer Vanek Fund for Excellence

Subsequent to a record-setting 2016-17 box office season, True Concord is providing an encore by announcing the biggest, boldest line up to-date next year, featuring renowned composers, world-class guest artists, adventurous collaborations, a world premiere and several performances offered on the big stage. Continuing tradition, music-loving fans will be treated to both classical favorites and innovative, contemporary works. The professional chamber choir and orchestra is especially pleased to announce the first commissioned work of the Dorothy Dyer Vanek Fund for Excellence which will feature a work by composer Gerald Near in collaborative concerts with the UA Poetry Center by setting music to poetry of Emily Dickinson.

True Concord moves to the big stage for both Bernstein’s Mass and Verdi’s Requiem, which will be performed at UA’s Centennial Hall. Mass will be a featured work of the Tucson Desert Song Festival next January as it celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday. The performance features UA Dance Ensemble, Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and Grammy-nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes with True Concord singers in two performances at Centennial Hall. Recruiting Sykes, in particular, was a coup for Music Director Eric Holtan, who notes that “Sykes is in high demand world-wide to sing the title role in Mass.” Holtan noted that “it made sense to stage Bernstein’s massive theatrical work for singers, players and dancers at Centennial Hall which will accommodate the larger number of performers.  As a cornerstone performance of the Festival, and with a superstar such as Jubilant Sykes in the title role, it is sure to draw a large audience.”

Jubilant Sykes sings the title role in Bernstein’s Mass

The British are Coming!
William Byrd to the Beatles
Featuring True Concord choir, soloists and chamber players
Thursday, October 12-Sunday, October 15, various venues

Metamorphosis
Celebrating Day of the Dead
David Lang little match girl passion
Gabriel Fauré Requiem
Featuring True Concord choir, soloists and Guy Whatley, organ
Thursday, November 2-Sunday, November 5, various venues

Christmas Lessons & Carols by Candlelight
Featuring True Concord choir, soloists, harp and Guy Whatley, organ
Thursday, December 7-Sunday, December 10, various venues

Bernstein Mass!
Featuring True Concord choir and chamber players, University of Arizona Dance Ensemble, Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and Grammy-nominated Jubilant Sykes, baritone, in partnership with Tucson Desert Song Festival
Friday, January 26, 7:30pm, Centennial Hall, University of Arizona
Sunday, January 28, 3:00pm, Centennial Hall, University of Arizona

Verdi Requiem
Featuring True Concord choir and orchestra, University of Arizona’s Arizona Choir, Arianna Zukerman, soprano, Teresa Buchholz, mezzo-soprano, Hugo Vera, tenor, Andrew Stuckey, baritone
Saturday, February 24, 7:00pm: Valley Presbyterian Church, Green Valley
Sunday, February 25, 3:00pm: Centennial Hall, University of Arizona

Emily Sings!
Evoking music in Emily Dickinson’s poetry
Premiering the first commissioned work of the Dorothy Dyer Vanek Fund for Excellence.
Featuring True Concord choir, soloists and orchestra in partnership with University of Arizona Poetry Center

Thursday, March 22-Sunday, March 25, various venues