Welcome to our 45th season!
FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
This season marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of Chamber Singers of Iowa City, and I am happy to report that the ensemble founded in 1970 to perform the choral music of J.S. Bach has grown into a vibrant and important part of eastern Iowa’s cultural fabric, performing not only Bach’s incredible oeuvre but music from virtually every time and every place. We are where we are today because of the music-making and work of so many singers and conductors before us, and in this milestone year, it is important to remember that and express our gratitude to those who built that foundation.
No less important are the countless listeners who have passed through the doors of our concert venues over the past forty-five years. Without you, we would perform only for ourselves. You, the listener, are the reason we are here, and it is our honor to be able to prepare and present to you—our families, friends, and neighbors—the finest music performed at the highest level.
This season is a good representation of what we now do: perform a wide range of music in terms of period and style. Thank you for your support as we continue to bring you sterling, live performances here in eastern Iowa.
See you in the seats!
David Puderbaugh, Music Director
Singing the Bard
Sunday, November 8, 3:00pm
First Presbyterian Church
2701 Rochester Ave.
Countless composers have set William Shakespeare’s immortal words to music, from the Bard’s own lifetime right up to the present. This concert celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death (2016) with works that draw on words from such works as The Tempest, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Much Ado about Nothing, with a cameo appearance by Ron Clark from Riverside Theatre’s Shakespeare Festival.
Special performance: Holiday Spectacular with Orchestra Iowa
Saturday, December 19, 2:30 & 7:30pm Sunday, December 20, 2:30pm
Paramount Theater, Cedar Rapids
Note: this event is NOT part of CSIC’s season ticket package.
Tickets available at http://www.artsiowa.com/orchestra/
Chamber Singers of Iowa City joins forces with Maestro Tim Hankewich and Orchestra Iowa for three concerts of classic holiday choral/orchestral music at the beautiful Paramount Theater. Celebrate the holiday season with the finest holiday music in the Corridor!
Arvo Pärt: Passio
Sunday, February 28, 3:00pm
First Presbyterian Church 2701 Rochester Ave.
For the past three decades, the music of Arvo Pärt has sat atop the classical music world and even transcended it. Passio, a setting of the St. John Passion, is one of Pärt’s most famous works, transporting listeners to a new sound world through his inimitable, unique compositional style. You will not want to miss this performance of one of the greatest choral works of modern times, performed for perhaps the first time ever in eastern Iowa.
J.S. Bach: Magnificat, Ascension Oratorio
Sunday, May 15, 3:00pm
Iowa City High Opstad Auditorium 1900 Morningside Dr.
Our 45th anniversary season concludes with a tribute to CSIC’s original mission: the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The choir joins forces with orchestra to present Bach’s famous Magnificat, well known to Bach aficionados everywhere, and his less well known, but equally wonderful, Ascension Oratorio.