You are cordially invited to participate in a tradition that has been ongoing  since 1931 in Clinton, Iowa – the annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah”.  This is year two of the cycle, which means we will perform all of the Christmas portion, plus selected other choruses.  Dr. Rob Engelson is the director, and Christine Holmer the pianist.

If you would like to sing, rehearsals start November 21, and are Monday evenings at 7pm (until about 7:45 or 8:00) in the choir room at Lyons Middle School.  You are welcome to bring your own score, or there will be copies to borrow.

Of course, no performance is complete without an audience!  Please put Sunday, December 18th, at 3:00pm in Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton on your calendar.  The concert is free.

The Gateway area’s premier chorus invites you to attend their fall concert, which will be on Sunday, November 13, at 2pm.  The location is Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa.

Reflections

Justorum animae………..Charles Villiers Stanford

Beati quorum via……………Charles Villiers Stanford

Splendid Jewel ………………… Stephen Paulus

Connie Swanson-DeSpain, soloist

Zadok the Priest …………….. George Frideric Handel

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d ….. Ethan McGrath (words Walt Whitman)

In Remembrance………………………Jeffery L. Ames

Julie Marston, violin

Little Elegy ………………………….. Stephen Paulus

Now Let Us Sing (Women’s Feature)…………….Gwyneth Walker

Whalen’s Fate (Men’s Feature)…………………..Stephen Paulus

Luke Vander Bleek, soloist

Wondrous Love ……………………………. James E. Clement

Let Me Fly …………………………………. Robert DeCormier

Mark Kapusinski, soloist

Shenandoah ………………………………….. Gregg Smith

Bile Them Cabbage Down …………….. Mack Wilberg

Joe Snyder, soloist, and Julie Marston, violin

RiverChor will be starting again soon, and that means auditions are coming up!  Watch this space for specific information (they’ll likely be the Sunday after Labor Day).  You don’t need to prepare anything, and auditions are short and sweet.  There are openings in all sections.

This past weekend, 16 members of RiverChor went over to Dixon, IL to participate in the third performance of ‘Reagan of Illinois’ with the Dixon Municipal Band.  We had a great time, and the concert was well received.  Here are a couple of pictures from the concert.

RiverChor’s Spring Concert is coming up on Sunday, May 15th at 2pm in Zion Lutheran Church of Clinton, Iowa.

Our program will be:

• Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz (Make Thou in Me, God); Johannes Brahms
• Alleluia; Randall Thompson
• The Lord is My Light; Horatio W. Parker (featuring organ)

Featuring brass:

• Psalm 100;  Heinrich Schutz
• Jubilate Deo; Micheal Fink
• Anthem of Peace;  arr.  Mack Wilberg
• O God Our Help

Intermission

• Where is Love from Oliver!; Lionel Bart (Featuring our women)
• I Love That Old Barbershop Style (Featuring our men)
• Do I Hear a Waltz? Medley; arr. John Purifoy (Waltzes from various Richard Rodgers musicals)
• Little Innocent Lamb; arr. Marshall Bartholomew
• Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho; arr. Fissinger
• American Medley; arr. Norman Luboff

We have been working hard, and hope you can join us for what will be a lovely afternoon filled with music.   There is no admission charge, just bring your ears!

Premiere of "Reagan of Illinois"

On February 19, 2011; RiverChor was part of the concert in Dixon, IL that celebrated President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday.  The choir performed the following selections:

Song of Triumph – Dale Grotenhuis

Pilgrims’ Hymn – Stephen Paulus

Mr. Sandman – Pat Ballard (women)

Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven – Pepper Choplin (men)

The Awakening – Gilbert M. Martin

Buffalo Gals – arr. Bob Chilcott

Amazing Grace – arr. Leland B. Sateren

American Medley – arr. Norman Luboff

RiverChor also joined with the Eureka College Chamber Singers, the Rockford Choral Union, and the Dixon Municipal Band on the premiere of Reagan of Illinois written and conducted by Dr. David Holesinger.