October 24th, marked the premier of The Nova Community Chorus under the new direction of Director Chad Steffey.
The concert began with “Full Fathom Five”by Charles Wood, continuing with “Sing Joyfully” by William Byrd, In Windsor Forest: A cantata adapted from the opera, “Sir John in Love” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Songs and Sonnets”from Shakespeare by George Shearing, “If Music be the Food of Love” by David Dickau and finally, “Dance a Cachuca” from the Gondoliers by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
The chorus was glad to be back at The Schlesinger Center for the Arts.
Chad enlightened us on the stories and backgrounds of the music, in between works.
The chorus was accompanied by Anita Ferguson, who also joined The NOVA Community Chorus, this year.
Anita, has been working in the Fairfax County Public School system, for the past six years, as both an accompanist and substitute teacher. She played wonderfully.
Chad comes to us from a impressive background. He served for 20 years on active duty int he United States Air Force, retiring in the rank of Major in July 2013. His career spanned several assignments as a percussionist and conductor in the Air Force Band career field. Since 2015 Chad has been the Director of Choirs at J.E.B Stuart High School and serves as the Director of Music at St. Peter’s in the Woods Episcopal Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia. He is also currently completing his doctoral studies in choral directing at George Mason University.
It was a great night overall and wonderful kickoff to our 2017-18 NOVA musical season. Our next concert is this evening, October 26th. Lisa Eckstein will conducting the NOVA Community Band with her annual Halloween concert, Spooctacular Sounds in the Haunted Hall, also featuring the Wakefield High School Band! Music from Bach, Holst and Mussorgsky to Andrew Weber, Sousa and more! It will be great to see this year’s halloween costume contest!
See you this evening!
Britt Conley (Assistant to the Music Department).