THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996 TAG: 9601310118
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
The Chesapeake Civic Chorus' annual winter concert will be filled with the music that pleases local audiences most.
``Through the years, as we perform, I note audience favorites and I remember those pieces that really make an impression,'' said Geraldine T. Boone, director of the chorus. ``Those, I put on our winter programs. We do well with spirituals and sacred music. I think we really shine on those works.''
The concert will take place Sunday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Boone said the venue also had an influence on the program.
``Basically, we're going to sing in a church,'' she added. ``We're aware of that and in light of that we tend to perform more sacred and spiritual works. In a place like St. Paul's Church, we wouldn't feel comfortable singing pops songs or Broadway tunes.''
Boone said the program will run the gamut from sacred classical works to spirituals arranged by well-known musicians and arrangers.
The concert will begin with such works as ``Sing Unto the Lord'' by Handel followed by ``Lauda Anima'' by Mark Andrews, ``Almighty God'' by Will James and ``Every Valley'' by John Ness Beck.
Besides scheduling works popular with her audience, Boone said she likes to include works by particular favorites of hers, including Randall Thompson and Undine Moore.
``Thompson, as most people who follow the chorus know, is a particular favorite of mine,'' she said. ``The work we're going to perform is `The Lord Is My Shepherd'. It's a very quiet, relaxing, introspective piece. In fact, it's more of a piano piece accompanied by voices.''
Dr. Ernest Brown, a member of the Norfolk State University music faculty, will be the chorus' accompanist throughout Sunday's concert.
Another notable work to be performed Sunday will be ``Glory to God,'' written by Undine Moore.
``She was one of my teachers at Virginia State in Petersburg,'' Boone said. ``She had a profound effect on me and on 11 other colleagues of mine at Virginia State. She recognized in each one of us our own special talents and levels of expertise. She was the one who recommended me for the Eastman School of Music. She told each and every one of us in her class what our particular special musical interest was and then she recommended us to act on those interests. And, you know, every one of us acted on her recommendations.''
Boone said Moore offered a nurturing environment for her and her classmates.
``She promoted a spirit of cooperation and working together in our class,'' Boone said. ``There was no competition. She accentuated our working together, our camaraderie. The piece we're going to sing on Sunday is one she wrote later in her career. But it's a special one for me. I always try to call her from time to time and see how she is doing and let her know how we're all doing.'' MEMO: For more information about the Chesapeake Civic Chorus' Winter Concert
or to join the chorus, call 421-9784 or 545-1248.
by CNB