“The Willamette Master Chorus came close to filling Smith Auditorium this afternoon for the premiere of “The Call,” a tribute to service member and veterans. It’s too bad those last 100 or so seats weren’t taken as well, because this was an amazing experience for the community.

Readers may remember that last Sunday the SJ’s Life section included an interview with Dave Metzger of Salem, the composer, and Henry Hughes of Falls City, the poet who wrote the words. They expressed hope that the composition could be published and picked up by other groups. After today’s performance, I’m confident it will be.

The two managed to avoid sentimentality and jingoism. It was not pro-war or anti-war. The piece praised the action of all who answer “The Call.” But it also acknowledged that service members find themselves in situations where the goal is unclear, and where their fears and uncertainties may outweigh their feelings of patriotism.

Both men were in the audience and came up to the stage to be acknowledged along with director Paul Klemme, 220 singers and 35 orchestra members. A standing ovation went on and on.

This community has remarkable cultural resources. It’s my privilege to write about them, and my joy to attend many performances in my spare time. Today reminded me of that once again.”

The Willamette Master Chorus’ concerts next weekend contain a gift for veterans and members of the armed services: a major choral work composed just for them. “The Call,” a 15-minute piece for choir and orchestra, honors the victories and sacrifices of American servicemen and women. It features music by Salem’s Dave Metzger, a Grammy award-winner (“The Lion King,” “Tarzan”). The text is by Henry Hughes, an associate professor at Western Oregon University and winner of an Oregon Book Award.

A 35-piece orchestra will accompany approximately 220 singers in performances in Albany and at Willamette University. Guest choirs from West Albany High School, South Albany High School and Linn-Benton Community College will join the master chorus on stage …

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The Chorus will be joined by guest choirs from West Albany High School directed by Cate Cafferella; South Albany High School directed by Brett DeYoung; and Linn-Benton Community College directed by James Reddan. Each of the choirs will present an individual set celebrating and honoring veterans. Dr. Paul Klemme will conduct branch service hymns and other patriotic national songs as part of the program. The combined choirs, accompanied by a chamber orchestra, will then join in this performance of “The Call.” The overwhelming majesty of some 200 musicians is guaranteed to form that lump in your throat and the tingle up your spine!

The first concert will be Friday night, November 11th at 7:30 pm at the First Assembly of God Church in Albany. This event will be an integral part of the annual Albany Veterans’ Commemorative celebration.

The final performance will be Sunday afternoon, November 13th at 3:00 pm at Smith Auditorium on the Willamette University campus in Salem.

Tickets are available on-line at www.WillametteMasterChorus.org; from WMC chorus members; at Travel Salem; and at the event box office day of event. Tickets for the Albany performance are available at State Farm Insurance office, 340 SW Washington Street in Albany.
Tickets are open seating, ranging from $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, $12 for veterans and military personnel, and $5 for students.

For additional information, call [503] 370-6929, or log-on to http://www.willamettemasterchorus.org/2011-2012-season/veteransconcert/.

Come, support, and enjoy outstanding choral music to honor our Veterans as presented by the Willamette Valley’s premier choral ensemble in collaboration with local student choirs!

The chorus, directed by Dr. Paul Klemme, is offering the annual Veterans Weekend concerts on Friday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church in Albany and Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Smith Auditorium on the Willamette University campus in Salem. The chorus has commissioned Grammy award-winning composer and arranger Dave Metzger to write a piece especially for these concerts. Mr. Metzger has selected text set by Western Oregon University Professor of English, Henry Hughes. This multi-movement work entitled “The Call”, uses both narrative and lyric poetry, in relating stories of American service men and women, honoring their victories and sacrifices. Joining the chorus for this premier performance will be the choirs from West Albany High School, Cate Caferella, director: South Albany High School, Brett DeYoung, director and Linn Benton Community College, James Reddan, director. Each of the choirs will present an individual set celebrating and honoring veterans and then join together for the commissioned work. A small chamber orchestra will accompany the massed choir. Dr. Paul Klemme will conduct. Patriotic songs along with service hymns and other national songs will complete the program.

The annual Holiday Concert will feature the WMC with the Keizer Elementary Choir, Ryan Amend, director and the McNary High School Women’s Ensemble under the direction of Jim Taylor. The three choirs will offer arrangements and settings of traditional Christmas Carols and then combine to present settings of the popular “The Drummer Boy” and “Carol of the Bells.” The McNary string orchestra under the direction of George Thomson will accompany the combined choirs. This holiday collaboration will be held on Saturday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 18 at 3:00 p.m. in Hudson Hall at Willamette University.

Members of the Portland Symphonic Choir will join the WMC for a winter performance of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” on Saturday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 26 at 3:00 p.m. in Smith Auditorium at Willamette University. The performance will be accompanied by full orchestra and will feature Baritone Richard Zeller, Willamette University Voice Faculty member, Amy Hanson and Willamette University student Derek Sup as soloists.

“Basically Bernstein” is the title of the final concert of the season. The WMC will perform an abbreviated version of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” with chamber orchestra and soloists. The chorus will then offer selected choruses from “The Lark”. The music, by Bernstein, was originally written as incidental music for a play by Jean Anouilh, adapted by Lillian Hellman in 1955. Hellman was also librettist for the Broadway hit “Candide.” The WMC will end the concert with selections from this music and “West Side Story.” Soloists and small ensemble from the chorus and a chamber orchestra will be featured for this Bernstein extravaganza. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at 7:00 pm. and Sunday, May 6 at 3:00 p.m. in Hudson Hall at Willamette University.

Prices for season tickets are $68 for adults, $51 for seniors, $48 for veterans and $20 for students; individual concert tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for students with tickets for veterans and active military personnel for the November Veterans Weekend Concert set at $12; all seats are unreserved. Tickets may be purchased with a credit card from the website at www.WillametteMasterChorus.org or patrons may stop in at TravelSalem, 181 High St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301; Tel: 503-581-4325.