Men, Art Debut at Choral Society Concert

A men’s choral ensemble and music-inspired visual art will make their debut at the Vero Beach Choral Society’s Songs of Spring concert and reception on Friday, April 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 15, starting at 3 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach.

The newly formed men’s ensemble, under the direction of Assistant Director Jason Hobratschk, will present a set of four works centered on themes of spring. The first is a 13th century piece in which a cuckoo reminds married men this is the season of betrayal. In the second selection, those buried in Flanders in World War I call out to their countrymen beneath poppies and larks not to let their deaths be in vain. This segues to an arrangement of “The Water is Wide” about the inherent challenges of love beyond the honeymoon phase. The ensemble concludes with Vaughan William’s rendition of “Jack the Sailor,” featuring a wary father surprised when the guy courting his young daughter turns out to be a catch.

Artistic Director Daniel Koh will highlight the remainder of the concert with Josef Gabriel Rheinberger’s “Stabat Mater” (Op. 138, in G major), Daniel Pinkham’s “Wedding Cantata,” and Paul Basler’s “Songs of Faith.” The selections span more than 200 years of musical styles and are themed on winter giving way to spring and the season of Lent giving way to Easter.

Visual art inspired by those choral selections will debut at a reception following the concert in the Great Hall of Trinity Episcopal Church. Represented artists include Edgardo Abello, Reid Christman, Sean Clinton, Cynci Cutter, Lyn Durham, René Guerin, Scott Kelly, Shotsi Cain Lajoie, Marlene Putnam, Sharon Sexton, Emily Tremml, and Quentin Walter. The art will thereafter be briefly exhibited at Northern Trust, 755 Beachland Boulevard, before going up for auction on April 27, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Vero Beach Choral Society’s Music Scholarship Program.

Tickets to the concert are $20 ($5 for students and $10 for active military) and are for sale on the Choral Society website at verobeachchoralsociety.org as well as by individual choristers. Tickets to the wine-and-hors d’oeuvres auction at Northern Trust are $50 and can be purchased at the Choral Society website or at Tiger Lily Art Studios & Gallery, 1903 14th Avenue, Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 5 or Saturday from 10-2. Tickets should be purchased by April 20 to ensure admittance. Early ticket requests can also be handled by calling 494-5011.

New this year for supporters of the Vero Beach Choral Society’s “dollars for music scholars” mission is a rewards package for every $80 donation to the Music Scholarship Program. The package includes a pass to the spring concert, a chance to win a $75 dinner at the Ocean Grill, the opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal, CDs of the Choral Society’s 2010/2011 concert season, and an earth-friendly canvas tote bag. The first 50 bags additionally include a $10 gift card for Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts in the Miracle Mile Plaza and a chance at receiving one of two gift certificates to the Italian Grill.

For further information about ticketing or the donor rewards package, call 494-5011.

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