2018-2019 40th Anniversary Season

Saturday, November 10, 2018 – 8 PM
Israel in Egypt – Handel
Orchestra and
Catherine Hedberg, Mezzo Soprano
Jonas Budris, Tenor
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough, MA

AVM continues its 40th anniversary season with a work that represents the foundation of AVM’s repertoire, Handel’s grand oratorio Israel in Egypt. This work, one of Handel’s most popular, relies on the chorus rather than soloists to tell the exciting story of the people of Israel. Its vivid word painting, where the sound of the music imitates the meaning of the text, makes this work unique and especially exciting for listener and performer alike. Read more in the Program Notes.

Sunday, December 16, 2018 – 3:30 PM
Messiah Sing
First Church in Marlborough, Congregational, Marlborough, MA

AVM’s Messiah Sing has become a holiday tradition to which many from throughout the region look forward. It is an opportunity to not only hear superb soloists perform but an opportunity for all to participate in singing the choruses of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah.

Sunday, March 10, 2019 – 3:30 PM
American Folk Songs
Saint Mark’s School, Southborough, MA

The excitement and creativity of folk music arrangements will make performers and audience alike smile and want to dance as AVM explores the world of American folk music. Gwyneth Walker’s River Songs was commissioned by AVM in 1996 and is constructed around familiar folk songs about rivers. AVM will also reprise Aaron Copland’s American Folk Songs which are based upon early American folk tunes. Finally, lively arrangements by Mack Wilberg, conductor and principal arranger for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for many years will be a delight to all.

Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 8:00 PM
Across the Millennia
Orchestra and
Teresa Wakim, Soprano
Margaret Lias, Alto
Charles Blandy, Tenor
Thomas Jones, Baritone

St. Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, MA

We celebrate the end of our 40th anniversary season with a juxtaposition of great historic choral classics with music by two of the 21st century’s most accomplished composers. The concert will begin with Bach’s cantata # 80 Ein Feste Burg which was sung at AVM’s very first concert in May 1978. It will be followed by Ola Gjeilo’s Song of the Universal based upon a poem by Walt Whitman. This is a 2016 arrangement for mixed chorus of a 2014 setting for women’s voices. Mozart’s Regina Coeli will serve as the choral foundation for Part II of the concert to be followed by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks’ moving and heart wrenching Dona Nobis Pacem.