The NOVA Community Chorus Director, Dr. Mary-Hannah Klontz conducting the 2024 Spring Choral Concert.
The Combined Choirs not only filled the stage, they beautifully voiced into the hall for a memorable choral night.
The first work of the evening was Sing My Child by Sarah Quartel (b. 1982).
Featuring : Emma Aldean, Kirsten Best, Christina Muddiman, Mara Sanders, Dianasti Watson, & Te-Loriah Whitfield, soprano soli, Tony Lazo, Logan McRoy, Samantha Posednik, Malachi Watkins, & Anthony Weaver, tenor soli
and Jeff Loewer, percussion
For the next work, “Mass Number 2 in G, D 167 by Franz Schubert (1737-1828), we brought out members of the NOVA Symphony Orchestra.
Violin I- Patrick Geddes, Paula Davidson and Josephine Llorente
Second Violinists include – Adriana Gonzales ,Jackie Kim,
Katey Runge and Carol Stone, and Violaists are Krystal Landy and Kasey Ulery.
Cello- Tiago Silva and Daniel Schlichtig
Bassist, Shelby Doerr performing with the combined choirs.
Kyrie — Chorus and Emma Artinian, soprano
Sopranos, Elizabeth Todd and Margena Garrett performed the Gloria Chorus.
Along with baritones, Tom Muner and Eric Ackerman.
Credo — Chorus
Sanctus — Chorus
For the Benedictus Trio, soprano Alexandra Richardson,
tenor Vincent Sanfilippo, and baritone Kris Kouzougian entranced us all.
Agnus Dei — Chorus, was beautifully sung by Alexandria Wood and
and baritone, Daniel Isaac. Both were stunning performances.
After a brief Intermission it was onto the Brentsville District High School Chorus directed by Anna Balchunas and accompanied by Rachel Bradley, Collaborative Pianist
Vocal Ensemble
Goodnight Dear Heart …………………………………………………………. Dan Forrest (b. 1978)
Gloria in Excelsis Deo …………………………………………………………. Jay Althouse (b. 1951) Festival Choir
Phoenix Song………………………………………………………………….David L. Brunner (b. 1953)
Cynthia Young, Director
Diane Carsten-Pelak, Collaborative Pianist
Kawouno Wan Gi Pi …………………………………………… Vivian Aluoch & Vivian Anyango arr. Brian Tate (b. 1954)
Jeff Loewer, percussion
Easy on the Earth ……………… Luke Wallace, arr. Shawn Kirchner & Luke Wallace
Hold Fast to Dreams……………………………………………………….Text by Langston Hughes Music by Susan LaBarr (b. 1981)
The NOVA Community Chorus Vocal Jazz Group
(L-R) Tatiana Loisha, collaborative pianist for the NOVA Community Chorus and Shelby Doerr, bassist for the NOVA Symphony Orchestra perform with The NOVA Community Chorus Vocal Jazz Group.
I Love Paris…………………………………………………………………………Cole Porter (1891-1964) As performed by the Tatiana Eva-Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band
Halina Banas-Jones, accordion; Tatiana Loisha, piano; Jane Michaels, guitar; Paul Klontz, trumpet; Shelby Doerr, bass
Carol Pelenberg, Lili Harrison, & Emma Artinian, vocal soloists
It was an inspirational evening! Please consider coming to one of our upcoming concerts as well!
NOVA Jazz Ensemble Concert
April 30, 2024 | 7:30pm | Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall Directed by Shannon Gunn, the NOVA Nighthawks, NOVA Jazz Combos, and special guests will perform in celebration of International Jazz Day.
NOVA Symphony Orchestra Concert
May 4, 2024 | 8pm | Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall
Directed by Christopher Johnston
This event is ticketed but free for NOVA students with ID.
Tuesday April 18, 2023 at 8:00pm, featuring: The NOVA Community Chorus, Special Guests from the US Army Chorus, The Arlington Community Chorus and Instrumentalists from the NOVA Alexandria Band.
A beautiful start to an incredible evening! The Combined Choirs & Instrumentalists performing The Battle Hymn of the Republic under the direction of Director Captain Bonnie Alger.
The NOVA Community Choir & the U.S. Army Chorus performing music faculty, Jonathan Kolm’s world premiere of Peace Restored conducted by our NOVA Community Choir director, Dr. Mary-Hannah Klontz.
Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams featuring soloists from the Army Chorus and Blaise Catala, Abass Conteh, Kenneth Marr, & Chad Steffey, percussion.
Director Cynthia Young conducts The Arlington Community Chorus performing an American Folk Hymn, “How Can I Keep from Singing?” The song was originally composed by American Baptist minister Robert Lowry.
The U.S. Army Chorus is under the direction of Captain Bonnie Alger, the first female director in the ensemble’s history! The first song of their inspiring set was Jocelyn Hagen’s, “Someplace.”
The U.S. Army Chorus next performing “Soldier,” by Timothy C. Takach. “The U.S. Army Field Band commissioned Takach to write this piece for the Soldiers’ Chorus in 2020.
Stephen Paulus’ “Hymn for America” was beautifully sung! The level of vocal expertise is extraordinary. It is, one of over 400 choral works written by Stephen Paulus.
Their final song was Free at Last (from Big River) by Roger Miller. Big River is a setting of Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
It’s always an honor to be able to hear The U.S. Army Chorus.
The final segment of our concert included the Combined Choirs beginning with “Hope Lingers On” by Lissa Schneckenburger and featuring step dancer, Keyshawn Pierce, with Mary-Hannah Klontz & Tatiana Loisha on percussion and conducted by Director Cynthia Young.
This work was made far more meaningful by the tremendously talented dancer, Keyshawn Pierre. He managed to encapsulate so much in his brilliant dance and we were riveted and grateful to be there to see it and feel it.
Mary-Hannah explains, “Andrea Ramsey arranged the work for voiced, percussion and optional body percussion. Body percussion refers to making rhythmic sounds such as clapping, patting, stomping and snapping. Step dancing has its roots in the South African “gumboot” dances performed by gold miners wearing boots. The dancing sent codified messages to coworkers because speaking was forbidden. Step dancing has evolved into a new art popular on high school and college campuses.”
For the final work of the evening, the combined choirs performing Shalom, written by Dan Forrest and featured Hannah Leong on violin. Mary-Hannah, explains, ” Shallom,” directly translates to, “Peace, hello and goodbye in Hebrew, but there conveys an even broader sense of well-being.” Her hope was to have everyone leave with a sense of, “renewed … hope and peace.” The concert was a stunning success all around and we all fet far better.
An incredible evening of music that inspired us all! I can’t wait to see what Mary-Hannah programs for this coming fall semester! Oh wait! I just heard! Next Fall’s concert will be, “Seasons of Love and Life-love songs and more” on Oct. 17 at 7:30. Our guests will be choirs from Justice High School and Glasgow Middle School.”
In the meantime, please join us for our next concerts! Here at NOVA, we have programing from not only our choirs, but The NOVA Alexandria Community Band, The NOVA Symphony Orchestra and The NOVA Knighthawks Jazz Ensemble.
• April 27 (8pm concert): The NOVA Symphony Orchestra at the Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria!
PROGRAM:
Aaron Copland. Fanfare for the Common Man. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17.
• May 5 (8pm concert): NOVA Music Dept. Spring Concert with the choir, jazz, and concert band ensembles.
And this summer in the Northern Virginia Community College Fine Arts Building, room 118 we will have The NOVA Symphony Orchestra!Hope to See You There!
· February 23, 2023 (7:30pm concert): A Children’s Concert
Featuring the NOVA Alexandria Band, Special Guest Trumpeter Denis Edelbrock, The George Mason Elementary School Gyil Ensemble, The George Washington & Swanson Middle School Jazz Ensembles and Area School Band & Orchestra Students in the Grand Finale!
· March 28 (7:30pm concert): A Tribute to Gospel Concert
Featuring the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble & Special Guests!
• Master class with Sarah Whitney
Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 2:00pm-4:00pm in room AFA-118
• Solo Violin Recital with Loop Pedel by Visiting Artist Sarah Whitney.
(As a soloist, Sarah has collaborated with the Alvin Ailey and Jose Limon dance companies, as well as featured on-stage with Adele, Ellie Goulding, the Transiberian Orchestra, NAS, Jeff Beck, Tommy Lee, Father John Misty. Active as a recording artist, Sarah has performed on albums with Darlene Love, Josh Ritter, Stephen Kellogg and can be heard on William Bolcom’s Grammy-winning album ‘The Songs of Innocence and Experience’. She has performed electric-violin with DJ’s Doug E. Fresh and DJ Spooky, as well as opened for Jennifer Hudson and Diana Ross.).
• April 18, 2023, 8 pm in Schlesinger Hall
The NOVA Community Chorus with special guests from The U.S. Army Chorus and the Arlington Community Chorus. Selections include The Battle Hymn of the Republic, a world premiere of Peace Restored by Dr. Jonathan Kolm, movements from Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughan Williams, Hope Lingers On and Shalom by Dan Forrest.
• April 27 (8pm concert): The NOVA Symphony Orchestra at the Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria!
PROGRAM:
Aaron Copland. Fanfare for the Common Man. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17.
• May 5 (8pm concert): NOVA Music Dept. Spring Concert with the choir, jazz, and concert band ensembles.
And this summer in the Northern Virginia Community College Fine Arts Building, room 118 we will have The NOVA Symphony Orchestra!
The NOVA Community Chorus, The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble, and The NOVA Alexandria Band!
What better way to enjoy the holidays than with ‘Joy to the World,’ featuring Paul Klontz on Trumpet! Although the renowned work was originally written in 1719 by English Composer Isaac Watts, we most often are enjoying the American arrangement by Lowell Mason.
The spirit of peace was elaborated through ‘Carol of the Bells’, a Ukrainian Folk Song written in 1914 by Mykola Leontovych.
The work is about generosity and proclaiming a bountiful new year for all. It was later arranged in 1922, by American Composer, Wilhousky for a performance by the Ukranian National Chorus at Carnegie Hall.
A rhythmic rendition of Winter Wonderland featured our own Philip Tinnin on drum set. The famed song was originally inspired by the sight of fresh fallen snow in Honesdale Pennsylvania.
Alondra Gutierrez-Rivera, A.J. Foley. and Emma Brush had just as much fun singing Winter Wonderland during the rehearsal before the hall opened!
The warmth of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’
This was soon followed by rousing rendition of Hine Ma Tov featuring Tom Munger on tambourine and dancers:
Alondra Gutierrez Rivera, Lillian Jeng, Marissa Mulero, Preet Singh, Cecilia Brakffield, Jackie Cohan, Roberta Comer, Bailey Lee, Na Lin, Daniela Santos, Carol Uri, Ana Vaquerano, Huy Anh Le, Isaiah Dillard-Scott, Johnny Lazo, Carment Mendoz, Aj Foley, and Daniel Hall.
The Chorus inspired us all with Three Carols: Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas before ending with Beethoven’s An die Freude (Ode to Joy), from his Symphony No. 9!
Ally Richardson and Mary Yee singing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.
Our next ensemble, under the direction of Shannon Gunn, brought us a set of great holiday numbers Jazz Style! The NOVA Nighthawks began their set with Let it Snow!, Let it Snow!, Let Snow!
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Adonnis Colindres-Rosado Performing, ‘When your Smiling’ by Shay and Fisher.
The group followed with Frank Foster’s Shiney Stockings and Thad Jones ‘A Child is Born.’
The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble performing at ‘A Holiday Concert: Joy to the World’ on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. Photo by Britt ConleyBefore we knew it we were being serenaded by Bob Coyne and Regina Begliutti with, ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ by by Frank Loesser.
Hat’s off to The NOVA Nighthawkes!
After a short intermission it was time for the NOVA Alexandria Band directed by Dr. Lisa Eckstein! The first piece was Overture to a Winter Celebration by James Stephenson.
Carol of the Drum by Katherine Davis sent us on an unexpected and familiar journey.
A Rollicking Hanukkah
Heather Planey and the NOVA Alexandria Band performing Roger Zare’s December Lullaby.
The evening ended with a phenomenal ‘Sleigh Ride’ written by Leroy Anderson.
Another amazing Holiday Concert has to come to an end. If you enjoyed this evening please come back support our Spring Concerts!
SPRING 2023
Thursday, February 23, 2023: A Children’s Concert featuring:
The NOVA Alexandria Band and special guests:
· March 28 (7:30pm concert): A Tribute to Gospel Concert
Featuring the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble & Special Guests!
• March 31st 7:30pm – Solo Violin Recital with Loop Pedel by Visiting Artist Sarah Whitney. ROOM 118 of the NOVA Alexandria AFA (Fine Arts Building) at the Alexandria Campus.
• April 18, 2023, 8 pm in Schlesinger Hall
The NOVA Community Chorus with special guests from The U.S. Army Chorus and the Arlington Community Chorus. Selections include The Battle Hymn of the Republic, a world premiere of Peace Restored by Dr. Jonathan Kolm, movements from Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughan Williams, Hope Lingers On and Shalom by Dan Forrest.
• April 27 (8pm concert): The NOVA Symphony Orchestra at the Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria!
PROGRAM:
Aaron Copland. Fanfare for the Common Man. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17.
• May 5 (8pm concert): NOVA Music Dept. Spring Concert with the choir, jazz, and concert band ensembles.
Our Combined Choirs began our evening concert with ‘Be the Change’ with Gandhi’s famed words, including, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This was set to the music by Marc Kaplan and Colin Britt, featuring Max Hoffman on percussion and Jane Michaels. This was followed by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays, “If I had a Hammer.”
The Justice High School Choir, directed by Miranda Lansberry, performed Malakatumba by Josu Elberdin, Hold Me, Rock Me by Brian Tate and Wau Bulan, a Malaysian Folk song.
“Wau Bulan” Malaysian Folk Song arranged by Tracy Wong. The Lyrics, Ewah buleh teraju tigo mean “Wow! The three-cornered moon.”
The Excelsior Voices Chamber Choir, directed by Mary-Hannah Klontz performed Harry Belafonte’s, “Turn the World Around,” followed by Sherrie Blevins’ “You Hold the Key” and Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run.”
The Excelsior Voices Chamber Choir performed Turn the World Around, You Hold the Key and Let the River Run. Thanks to Dean Kauffman for capturing their lovely performance.
• The NOVA Annandale Chorus Performed “More Love,” featuring Aj Foley, Johnny Lazo, Huy Anh Le, Cecilia Brakefield, Alondra Gutierrez-Rivera & Preet Singh.
• The NOVA Tenor & Bass Ensemble performing Omnia Vincit Amor by John Michael Trotta. “Love conquers all. Therefore let us surrender to love”
The NOVA Alexandria Community Chorus singing Michael Bussewitz-Quarm’s “I am the Voice that Sings.”
This was followed by the NOVA Soprano and Alto Ensemble singing Weir Eilen Mit Schwachen from Cantata 78 by J.S. Bach.
The finale of the evening featured a powerhouse performance by Shawn Kirchner, singing “I’ll Be On My Way”
• Special thanks to Dean Kauffman for coming and video tapping the evening!
Join us next time at The Holiday Concert featuring The NOVA Community Chorus, The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble and The NOVA Alexandria Band!
From the entire NOVA Alexandria Music Department, Thankyou for ALL your support! Hope to see you soon!
The Fairfax Choral Society Symphonic Chorus and The NOVA Community Chorus – Jane Moore Kaye, accompanist
With special guest appearances by members of the Fairfax Choral Society Master Singers and The Northern Virginia Chorale.
The first half of the program began with Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Mandy Brown, soprano and Kristee Haney, mezzo-soprano, mesmerized us with solo and duet performances that were angelic. A perfect paring for the masterwork.
Gloria, (1715)…………………… AntonioVivaldi (1678-1741)
The movements are as follows:
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Et in terra pax
Laudamus te (Sopranos I and II Duet)
Gratias agimus tibi (Chorus)
Propter magnam gloria (Chorus)
Domine Deus (Soprano)
Domine, Fili unigenite (Chorus)
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei (Mezzo Soprano, Chorus)
Qui tollis peccata mundi (Chorus)
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris (Mezzo Soprano)
Quoniam tu solus sanctus (Chorus)
Cum Sancto Spiritu (Chorus)
Gloria is one of the most popular of Vivaldi works. The chorus members were wonderful.
The second major work of the evening was Fauré’s Requiem in D. Minor, Op. 48 (1887). The performance featured: Mandy Brown, soprano, Purev Arslan, baritone and Foster Wang on violin.
Rob Singer, trumpet ~ John Matthew McGovern, timpani ~ Eric Sabatino, harp Jane Moore Kaye, organ
Sophia Kim Cook, rehearsal accompanist
Upcoming Performances
NOVA & Friends Band Concert
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall March 3, 2022 | 7:30pm
NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble Concert
March 31, 2022 | 7pm Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall
NOVA Symphony Orchestra Concert
April 24 | 4pm
Ernst Community Theater, NOVA Annandale Campus
NOVA Alexandria Music Dept. Spring Concert
featuring
the NOVA Community Chorus, the Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble, the NOVA Alexandria Band and
special guests The Fairfax Choral Society Symphonic Chorus April 29, 2022 | 8pm
The Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus Music Department is proud to present this and many other concerts free for our surrounding community. Your generous donations are much appreciated, as they allow us to continue quality programs and experiences for our diverse student body. Please see one of our staff members in the lobby during intermission or after the concert to make a donation.
The Holiday spirit was out in full force for our 2019 Holiday Collage Concert!
The evening began with The Northern Virginia Sax Quartet performing carols in the lobby.
A lovely beginning to a festive evening.
The main concert hall showcased the NOVA Community Chorus, The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble and the NOVA Alexandria Band.
The Chorus fired up the main concert with Personent Hodie, accompanied by a brass and percussion ensemble featuring Isabella Lowe & Josh Menez, trumpets; Margaret Forman, French horn; Ameer Yaqoob, trombone; Cristian Condor, tuba; and Tyler Brantley and Mayson Rangel on Percussion.
Tonight was bittersweet, since it was the final concert for Choral Director, Jessica Irish. She has had a truly memorable time with the Chorus this past semester and we were lucky to have her!
The Chorus followed with There Shall a Star (from “Christus”) by Felix Mendelssohn. and Winter’s Peace highlighting the Semi-Chorus: Halina Banas-Jones, Alan Bunner, Sarah Calvino, Larry Goldschmidt, Diane Halvorsen, Lock Handley, Laura Hanson, Jane Michaels, Casey Stucliffe and Neo Upod.
Chorus fans rejoiced after Ding, Dong! Merrily on High! featuring Jane Tavernier, second accompanist for four-hand piano and Mayson Ragel on chimes.
Meanwhile The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble were gearing up for their holiday extravaganza! They performed four works, beginning with The Little Drummer Boy…
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,
The set ended with Greensleeves (What Child is This?) and Comfort and Joy.
A special intermission, shout out to those who came to the concert including our wonderful students, the community and friends and families!
The final half of the concert featured the NOVA Alexandria Band! performing A Christmas Fantasy, Gloria, Away in a Manger, Dreidel Dance and Sleight Ride….
Harpist Brian Stevenson, out quest artist for the evening stole the show and beautifully filled the hall with the lush sounds of strings.
I personally adore the hat’s so many band member adorn each holiday for the concert.
Best hat of the night? Well, I think it’s obvious!
This year’s concert was dedicated to our NOVA students and families. We wanted to thank them for their sacrifices to make it through school and onto the next chapter in the lives. To help give back to them, we held a free ticketed give-a-way for NOVA students. The prizes included: a $50. gift certificate to Ristorante Il Porto in Old Town Alexandria, a $50. gift certificate to Faccia Luna, also in Old Town Alexandria, a 15% off certificate to the Barnes’ and Noble Book Store and two bags of NOVA merchandise from Student Life!!!!
Our excited winners had some great prizes!
It was nice to see so many happy faces!
The Band’s final piece of the night was an audience singalong featuring Joy to the World, It Came Upon and Midnight Clear and Adeste Fidelis (O come all ye faithful)
The evening ended with a huge round of applause for the Band, the audience, the NOVA Nighthawks and The Chorus!!!! What a fun-filled evening.
Let’s hear for the Music Department’s 2019′, done well!!!! Happy Holidays everyone and Happy New Year!!!!!
Please come to our next concerts, this Spring!
In our AFA- building in room 118, (our recital hall) we Dmitri Steinberg coming at 7:30pm on Tuesday February 12th.
February 27th is the famed Children’s Concert for families and the community. A lot of fun! The Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall.
March 11th is the next Chorus Concert at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall.
5pm on April 15th in the AFA building 118 recital hall will be District 5 Wind Quintet.
and finally… The big Spring Concert feauturing All of the NOVA Ensembles will be at 7:30, may 8th at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall!
The NOVA Alexandria Music Department Presented, The NOVA Community Chorus performing their October 22, 2019 concert, “Sing a Mighty Song.”
Our first song for the evening was, “Sing a might Song,” performed by all four Choirs! The NOVA Community Chorus was joined by Annandale, South County and Woodson High School Choirs. We managed to fit everyone on stage and the sheer sound was as impressive as the numbers.
The NOVA Community Chorus began their segment with Anton Bruckner’s Lucus Iste, (Translation: This Place was made by God, a priceless Sacrament; it is without reproach) and Joseph Hadar’s, Erev Shell Shoshanim (Evening of Roses).
Craig Hella Johnson’s The Water is Wide was beautifully accompanied by Soprano Susan Lewis Kavinski and cellist, Rachel Sexton.
One of my favorite works of the night.
This was followed by Sing My Child by Sarah Quartel. Our Quartet included Sarah Calvino, Luna Para, Phillip Todd and Neo Upod.
Our next segment featured The Annandale Singers, conducted by Patrick Vaughn. The Choir performed Michael John Trotta’s Shenandoah, Elain Hagenberg’s When We Love and Brian Tate’s Connected.
Amy Moir Conducted The Woodson Vocal Ensemble in Gerald Finzi’s My Spirit Sang All Day and Anders Edenroth’s, Chili con Carne.
The South County Choirs were conducted by Antonio Rodriguez and accompanied by Esther Lee and Tammy Lydon. Their performance begin with Goodnight, by Matthew Emery.
The South County Bella Voce: Performed Famine Song by Matthew Culton. The soloists were Josie Springer and Laurie Evans. This was followed by The South County Singers performing Michael Engelhardt’s Wayfaring Stranger showcasing soloist Ian Pathak. The final song was Hans Bridger Heruth’s “Joy” and featured soloists: Damaris Williams, Warisha Hussain and Madeline Schneider.
The final song of the evening was a beautiful work by Jacob Narverud, “Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One) featuring Steven Barnett on Percussion.
Please come to our next concerts:
Monday, Nov. 11: Jazz Ensemble Concert titled “NOVA Jazz Night at the Carlyle Club” — The Carlyle Club; 7:30-9:30pm; Address: 2050 Ballenger Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314; $25 minimum food and beverage purchase required per person; For more info, visit https://www.thecarlyleclub.com/about-us.html
Tuesday, Dec. 10: Holiday Concert titled “Joy to the World”featuring the band, chorus, and jazz band — Schlesinger Concert Hall; 8-9:45pm; FREE admission and parking.
Our music department wrapped up our semester with our 2019 spring concert! Friday, May 3, 2019 from 8-10pm.
It was a historic night for a couple of reasons. First, It was the final performance with a amazing chorus director, Chad Steffey. Chad has spend the past couple of years working with our chorus and helping build a new chapter in the chorus history with wonderfully fun Broadway reviews and bringing in fantastic guest singers.
The chorus gathered in the concert hall foyer to help send him off in style. Hugs, gifts and a massive round of applause.
The NOVA Community Chorus began the night with The Music of Living by Dan Forrest, followed by Selections from Old American Songs, Bring Me Little Water, Silvy, by Huddie Ledbetter, Cape Cod Girls, a traditional Sea Shanty and Ain’-a That Good News! by William Dawson.
The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble picked up a jazzy set, with Maiden Voyage, by Herbie Hancock, Whisper Not by Benny Golson, Moment’s Notice by John Coltrane and Senor Mouse by Chick Corea.
Lisa Eckstein treated the audience by opening the band set with Mark Camphouse’s Air Mobility Command March.
Then the band provided a stunning performance of Nathan Pereda’s Starless Night.
Nathan’s piece offered a wonderful set of antiphonal trumpets that brought such beauty to the hall. The piece was extraordinary!
The band finished the evening with Xerxes by John Mackey and African Symphony by Van McCoy.
Everyone LOVED it all
Another great season coming to the close, but we’ll be back in the fall with more music!
Since 1967, helping people of all ages grow in the joy of making music.