2020/21
A SEASON OF HOPE
The Phoenix Chorale, under the direction of Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas, announces their 2020/21 Season, “A Season of Hope,” which offers free virtual programming for patrons and fans.
“During these days when our community’s health and safety are paramount, gathering together to rehearse and perform choral music must necessarily take a back seat,” says Christopher Gabbitas. “And yet all of us miss it tremendously – whether it’s the fellowship we experience as we meet to prepare programs in rehearsal or the thrill we experience as we wait backstage to perform for our fans… We’ve heard how much they’re missing it too, so we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to ensure we can share as much as possible despite the circumstances.”
Magical things happen when people gather together. Over 60 years ago, a small group of friends gathered in a living room around a piano and established what is now the Phoenix Chorale. Now, the Phoenix Chorale invites fans to gather in their living rooms, online, and experience the Phoenix Chorale in a whole new way.
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Chris Chats with John Rutter & Bob Chilcott
Originally aired October 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm AZ/MST
New this season are “Chris Chats,” exclusive interviews featuring choral luminaries including composers, conductors, and leaders in the choral field in conversation together throughout the season, hosted by Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas. The first of this series takes place Monday, October 19, 2020, at 6:00 pm. Featured choral masters in this chat: English composer/conductors John Rutter and Bob Chilcott, whose music is included on the October 24 broadcast, “Pathways of Devotion.”
Watch the full “Chris Chats with John & Bob” episode on YouTube >
Pathways of Devotion – free concert broadcast
Originally aired Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 7:00 pm AZ/MST
Our season opens with Pathways of Devotion, our first broadcast of the year, hosted by Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas. The Pathways of Devotion program revisits highlights of Gabbitas’s first project with the Chorale, from February 2019, which explored aspects of love, devotion, and the faithfulness that draws us together as families and communities—no matter what life puts in our way. Music featured on this broadcast includes Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of Mairi’s Wedding, Barbara Allen by John Rutter, The Road Home by Stephen Paulus, Only in Sleep by Ēriks Ešenvalds, and more.
Watch the full “Pathways of Devotion” broadcast on YouTube >
Chris Chats with Anton Armstrong & André Thomas
Originally aired December 14, 2020 at 6:00 pm AZ/MST
The second in this new “Chris Chats” series takes place Monday, December 14, 2020, at 6:00 pm. Featured choral masters in this chat are renowned choral conductors Anton Armstrong and André J. Thomas, whose music is included on the December 19 broadcast, “A Chorale Christmas Special.”
Watch the full “Chris Chats with André and Anton” episode on YouTube >
A Chorale Christmas Special – free concert broadcast no longer available
Originally aired Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 7:00 pm AZ/MST
Hosted by Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas, this special holiday broadcast brings together highlights from two memorable Christmas programs in 2018 and 2019, led by beloved guest conductors Anton Armstrong and André J. Thomas. Musical highlights include Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King by André Thomas, Rosephanye Powell’s The Word Was God, Silent Night, The Christmas Song, and more. Paired with sing-alongs and new music by the Phoenix Chorale, this broadcast joins us all together in a spirit of hope, peace and renewal, and the musical warmth that only this time of year can bring.
Watch the full “A Chorale Christmas” broadcast on YouTube >
Cosmos – free concert broadcast
Originally aired Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 7:00 pm AZ/MST
Hosted by Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas, Cosmostakes us on a journey through ancient and modern cultures, with ethereal choral pieces inspired by the beauty of the night sky. Enjoy the uplifting voices of the Chorale from the comfort of your home with this broadcast featuring highlights from the Chorale’s Cosmos performances last year, with the exquisite works of composers Johannes Brahms, Ola Gjeilo, Felix Mendelssohn, Morten Lauridsen, and more.
Watch the full “Cosmos” broadcast on YouTube >
Chris Chats with Erika Lloyd
Originally aired March 16, 2021, at 6:00 pm AZ/MST
The third in this new “Chris Chats” series takes place Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 6:00 pm. Featured in this chat is classically trained indie-pop artist Erika Lloyd, formerly touring with her band Little Grey Girlfriend. Stay tuned to hear Erika Lloyd’s beautiful piece, “Cells, Planets” sung by the Phoenix Chorale, which is featured in the “Cosmos” broadcast.
Watch the full “Chris Chats with Erika Lloyd” on YouTube >
Chris Chats with Ola Gjelio & Cecilia McDowall
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 6:00 pm AZ/MST
The fourth in our “Chris Chats” series takes place Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 6:00 pm. Featured choral masters in this chat are esteemed composers Ola Gjelio whose masterpiece The Spheres is included on the March 6 broadcast, “Cosmos,” and Cecilia McDowall, whose compositions Three Latin Motets were included in the Phoenix Chorale’s GRAMMY-winning album, Spotless Rose.
Watch on YouTube when it airs > I Watch on Vimeo when it airs >
Chris Chats with Herbert Washington & Carrie Tennant
April 19, 2021, at 6:00 pm AZ/MST
The final in this season’s new “Chris Chats” series takes place Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6:00 pm. Featured choral masters in this chat are esteemed conductors Herbert Washington Artistic Director at the Phoenix Boys Choir, whos soloists are featured in the Pie Jesu movement of Fauré’s Requiem included in the April 24 “Lux” broadcast, along with Carrie Tennant the founder and Artistic Director for the Vancouver Youth Choir.
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LUX (Light) – free concert broadcast
Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 7:00 pm AZ/MST
Our “A Season of Hope” concludes with our free virtual concert LUX, this special broadcast hosted by Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas, conjures the healing inspiration of light that shines down upon us. With selections from the Phoenix Chorale’s Lux Aeterna held in 2019, the concert includes a gorgeous choral arrangement of Sir Edward Elgar’s Nimrod, along with works by Palestrina, Poulenc, texts by Walt Whitman. Other highlights include soloists from the Phoenix Boys Choir joining the Phoenix Chorale for Gabriel Fauré’s evocative Pie Jesu, taken from his Requiem. Paired with newly recorded much by the Phoenix Chorale, and more!
RSVP on Facebook > I Watch on Vimeo when it airs > I YouTube link coming soon!
Support These Free Programs: To support the Phoenix Chorale’s free broadcasts, visit PhoenixChorale.org/Donate, and make a gift today. To learn more about sponsoring one of these exciting online programs, please contact the Phoenix Chorale at 602-253-2224.