Choral Artistry Sing Out festival Jan. 28 & 29

In early January, start the new year on a high note with the rich sounds of Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers” from the “All Night Vigil” service of the Russian Orthodox Liturgy.
Performances are scheduled at Sanibel Community Church (Friday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.), at St. Mary’s Episcopal in Bonita Springs (Saturday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.), and at Trinity by the Cove Episcopal in Naples (Sunday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m.). Admission is free.
Formerly performing as The Symphonic Chorale of SWFL, these are Choral Artistry’s first community-wide performances under its new name, which was announced in August at the beginning of its 10th Anniversary/Take2 Season.
“Sung in Russian, Vespers is all acappella, definitely a challenge, and remarkable for the musical independence of each line,” said Choral Artistry’s artistic director Dr. Trent Brown.
“Rachmaninoff was most excited and passionate about this work and it is one of his few choral compositions,” Brown said.
This concert will also include Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” featuring soprano soloist Kate Lucander, Alexander Gretchaninoff’s “Our Father,” and a Russian folk tune or two. Admission is free and a ticket is not required. A free-will donation will be requested during the concert.

Sing Out festival Jan. 28 & 29
On the last weekend of the month (Jan. 28 – 29) Choral Artistry will host a 10th Anniversary celebration of its popular SingOut! SWFL Choral Festival in Fort Myers, where all community and visitor singers get to “join the chorus” (without audition) for a weekend of singing and camaraderie. This special Sing Out! celebration will feature the most popular choruses and solos from Handel’s Messiah, a much beloved work sung by choruses around the world.
This theme commemorates the Symphonic Chorale’s inaugural performance “Messiah at the Mann” at Barbara Mann Hall in 2011 as well as its first “SingOut! Messiah Festival” in 2013. The Festival begins on Friday evening Jan 28 (7 – 9 pm) and continues on Jan 29 (9:30 am – 4 pm). The weekend will conclude with a free “Sing Out! Messiah Festival Concert” performed by the festival chorus with Chamber Orchestra at 7 p.m. The festival is back at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 10051 Plantation Road (off Colonial Boulevard) in Fort Myers again this year.
For more info about Choral Artistry’s concerts and festival participation/registration, visit www.choralatistry.org, email: contact@choralartistry.org or call 239-560-5695. Students may participate for free.