Valley Concert Chorale 'Bugs Out' in Spring Concert May 12, 2012

Just like the spring weather, you'll get a little bit of everything when the Valley Concert Chorale presents its May concert "Of Springtime Sounds - Bugs and All."

"Our spring concerts are always a bit on the lighter side of choral music," explains John Emory Bush, the Chorale's Artistic Director and Conductor. "With this performance, our audience will enjoy a variety of pieces ranging from madrigals, to Brahms and Rossini, drinking songs, love songs, and sounds of bugs; a lot of bugs!"

When it comes to bugs, the Chorale will perform a unique collection of songs by Charles Hoag called "Cicada Songs" that features clarinet and marimba accompaniment. Each song is set to poems with arrangements that mimic the sounds cicadas make, commonly referred to as "cicada song", when these noisy bugs rule the insect world during the summer months in many areas of the world.

A special portion of the program will feature VCC soprano Jumi Kim performing Schubert's beautiful "Der Hirt auf dem Felsen" (Shepherd on the Rock). "It is very rare to hire a clarinet for a choral program," adds Bush, "and so I chose this infrequently heard selection which is real gem. It will be an audience pleaser and program highlight!" Kim will be accompanied by Phyllis Harding on clarinet and concert pianist Daniel Glover.

Additional choral pieces include Brahms' "Tafellied", a German drinking song, Thomas Morley's madrigal "I Love, Alas, I Love Thee", two operatic arrangements by Rossini featuring Mr. Glover at the piano, and to add to the bug and critter collection, "The Spider and the Fly" and "The Owl and the Pussy Cat."

This year's spring concert begins an hour earlier than in past years, providing an opportunity for a family evening out. All guests are invited to a reception with refreshments in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the conclusion of the program.

Official Website: http://www.valleyconcertchorale.org/