Choral Society Sings of Musical Journey with Founder & Director Catherine Pederson

Spring Concerts on May 8 and 9

By Kathi Ciskowski

The Orcas Choral Society is celebrating its 33^rd year with “Songs We Love To Sing.” Choir and instruments combine to take the listener on a musical journey of some of the favorite Orcas Choral Society pieces over the years.  Catherine Pederson, Founding Director/Artistic Director, will be retiring following this concert. This will also be the last concert for Patty Johnson, accompanist. The concerts will take place at the Orcas Center on Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 9 at 2 p.m.

Many of the pieces that “made the final cut” have stories or memories from past concerts.  The power of relationships through music, love, and nature reflect the unique aspects of life on Orcas Island as well as into the entire world of human experience.  The program could also be seen as a 33 year old musical journey of the Orcas Choral Society.

Expressing a love for the sea and its creatures, “The Celtic Mass for the Sea” ,by Canadian Cape Breton islanders Scott Macmillan and Jennyfer Brickenden, had its United States premier by the Orcas Choral Society and was performed again on Orcas in 2002.  Some members of the Orcas Choral Society participated in the Carnegie Hall premier in 2002. “Introit,””Agnus Dei” and “Dismissal” are the sections included in this concert.  A dramatic musical expression of “He who tramples on the world, tramples on himself” reminds us that our individual choices can be far-reaching.

Other songs with Cape Breton Island influences include the hauntingly poignant, “Fare Thee Well Love” by James Rankin; the nostalgic “Away from the Roll of the Sea”, Allister MacGillvray, and the rollicking” Tell My Ma When I Go Home”, which is a traditional Irish children’s street song featuring J.P. Wittman on a blazing fiddle.

“The Rose” was commissioned for the Orcas Choral Society’s 30^th anniversary by Fred Whitridge in honor of Betty Whitridge.  The text is a poem by Pulitzer prize winning poet, Theodore Roethke, written after a visit to the San Juan Islands, music by Canadian composer, Stephen Chatman. The harmonies and lyrics speak to the resilience of life and beauty through the seasonal challenges of island living.

“The Month of May” by Clement Janequin has often been chosen as the May concert opening song.  “Selections from the Music Man” by Meredith Willson is another timeless favorite which was performed by the Orcas Choral Society at the opening of the Orcas Center. Opening the second half of the concert, The Quick Singers Ensemble quickly shares the Irish Air, “Quick!  We Have But a Second”

“River in Judea” by Jack Feldman and “The Heavenly Aeroplane” by John Rutter offer two different approaches to spiritual transcendence.  “Where Your Bare Foot Walks” music by David Childs, from texts by the poet Rumi, also follows this theme but through the imagery of clouds dissolving in sunlight and romantic love.

Featured performers and instrumentalists include: Pam Evans, alto soloist; Holly King, soprano soloist;  J.P. Wittman, fiddle; Becky Deryckx, whistle and flute; Scott Heisinger, Pamela Wright, violin; Lisa Humphrey, Viola; Dale Heisinger, Cello; Jon Humphrey, String Bass; Dave Zoeller, Anita Orne, Guitar; Gordon Koenig, Stand Up Bass; Penny Sharp-Sky, Jim Schaffer-Bauck, percussion; Kathi Ciskowski, Mary Gropp, Jim Schaffer-Bauck, readers.

A gala reception in the Madrona room follows each concert and will honor Catherine Pederson. The reception committee of Mary Poletti, Penny Sharp Sky and Jan Cleveland invites all concert goers to attend the reception

Tickets are available for the concerts by calling the Orcas Center Box office at 376-2281 or ordering online at www.orcascenter.org.  The cost is $10 for adults and $3 for children and students.