Chorale Bel Canto Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Nov. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Whittier-based masterworks Chorale Bel Canto celebrates their 30th Anniversary on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 2011 by presenting their annual holiday performance, “Christmas with Chorale Bel Canto,” at 4:00 PM both days.  The concert will be held at the East Whittier United Methodist Church located at 10005 South Cole Road, Whittier, CA 90603.  Featured in this concert will be the Christmas portion of George Fredric Handel’s Messiah.

Returning for his thirtieth consecutive season is Maestro Stephen Gothold who led the ensemble during their first concert also presenting the Messiah on December 4, 1982.  Appearing as guest soloists in the performance are Soprano Corey Carleton, Alto Cynthia Crass, Tenor Andrew Carter, and Baritone Chung-Uk Lee.

In addition to Handel’s Messiah, the Chorale will perform carols and motets of the holiday season by J. Edmund Hughes, Franz Biebl, Richard Zgodava, Mack Wilberg, David Willcocks, Arthur Warrell, and Arnold Cooke.

Chorale Bel Canto was founded by a group of Whittier College Choir alumni who wished to continue singing after graduating. Director of Choral Activities Stephen Gothold, himself an alumnus, organized the recruiting efforts and the Chorale made its debut performance on Saturday, December 4, 1982 at the Whittier Presbyterian Church with a complete performance of Handel's Messiah.

Since then, the Chorale has sung over one hundred concert programs in the Southern California area. The Chorale performed in Japan in 1994 and at the Hollywood Bowl in 1995 as it joined together with 1,000 singers from America and Japan to sing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

In 2001, members of the Chorale - along with Whittier College students, alumni, and members of the Imperial Valley Choral Society - toured Eastern Europe and performed selections of American hymns, spirituals, and sacred songs.  

In the summer of 2011, members of the Chorale toured Italy and performed Verdi's Requiem under the direction of Stephen Gothold.

Tickets are $20 for adults; $17 for seniors over 55;  $15 each for groups of 10 or more;  $5 for student rush and the door and youth.   Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.choralebelcanto.org.  For information, call 888-736-2493.

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CEO/Author/Consultant -- Lloyd Kaneko is a former Staff Writer for Drum Corps News, and has written for various other magazines, newsletters, and blogs including Scenario.SC. and Allvoices.