2007-2008
2007-2008 Season
Messiah with the Des Moines Symphony
December 1, 2007
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Christmas with the Choral Society
December 8, 2007
St. Ambrose Cathedral
Masterworks of Hope
February 23, 2008
St. John's Lutheran Church
Destination Iowa
April 26, 2008
First United Methodist Church
Christmas with the Choral Society
“Christmas with the Choral Society” heralds the holiday season on December 8th in the beautiful Cathedral of St. Ambrose. The acoustics of this setting make this a favorite place to perform. We will fill the cathedral with sound, voices and instruments, celebrating the majesty of the Season. This concert is designed to set a festive mood as a glorious prelude to Christmas. In addition to favorite carols, we will offer up a bit of Bach, and some choruses from Handel’s Messiah. We will invite you to lift your voices along with ours, in a fitting tribute to a season devoted to love and community. Mark your calendars now to ring in the spirit. [top]
Masterworks of Hope
The Des Moines Choral Society is delighted to offer “Masterworks of Hope” as a part of the St. John’s Lutheran Fine Arts Festival. Hollis Monroe of WOI –FM will host this evening’s concert. Experience the depth and passion of select movements from Joseph Haydn’s “Kettledrum Mass” (Mass in Time of War) as the baleful music of the kettle drums reflects the struggle of Haydn’s homeland, Austria, in a time of war. Next, movements from John Rutter’s Requiem celebrate both victory over death and hope in eternal life. Finally, soar with the uplifting and energetic themes in Choral Fantasy by Ludwig von Beethoven, featuring Elaine Wedeking on piano. Each work elevates the spirit in an exaltation of life. [top]
Destination Iowa
April marks a return to our Iowa Heritage Series, this time showcasing Iowa’s immigrants. In “Destination Iowa,” the Des Moines Choral Society pays tribute to the commonality of the immigrant experience—across generations and across cultures. We who call Iowa home have a reason to feel settled here. Partnering with The Council for International Understanding, we will celebrate these reasons in story and song with music honoring a multitude of different backgrounds including German, French, Mesqwaki, Latin American, Norwegian and Czech. We close with a fitting tribute to Governor Robert Ray, whose activism saved the lives of hundreds of Southeast Asian refugees, many of whom now call Iowa home. Join us to celebrate Iowa’s immigrant experience. [top]