Mission
Taos Community Chorus is a volunteer organization that provides quality music education and performance opportunities for adults and youth, emphasizing individual growth and expression within our culturally diverse community and thereby enriching the lives of people in North Central New Mexico.
Celebrating 30 Years of Bringing Beautiful Choral Music to Taos!
May 2009 Program
Mass in C, Beethoven
Chorus Members - rehearsal information and links to practice resources are now on the Chorus Member Page
Mass in C, Beethoven
Beethoven wrote the Mass in C Major as a commission from Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II in 1807; continuing a tradition established by Franz Joseph Haydn who, beginning in 1795, composed one mass per year for the Esterházy family to celebrate the name day of the Prince's wife. Prince Nikolaus did not appreciate the mass, causing Beethoven to leave Esterházy's house in a rage, an event that Charles Rosen has called Beethoven's "most humiliating public failure." Fortunately for us in times since, this musical treasure has gained a vast appreciation from the listening and performing public.
Singer Rehearsals
Rehearsals begin Monday, Feb. 2, 2009/6:30-9:00/St. James Church located at 208 Camino Santiago in Taos (at the corner of Gusdorf and Camino Santiago). Click here for chorus member information.
Upcoming Performances - Mark your Calendars
Friday May 1, 2009 7:00pm Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Taos
Sunday May 3, 2009 4:00pm Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Taos
Saturday May 9, 2009 7:00pm Embudo Presbyterian Church, Dixon
December 2008 Program
The Taos Community Chorus wishes to thank the communities of Taos and Arroyo Seco for their gracious support of our concerts this last December.
A Christmas Banquet
- CANTATA ON "VOM HIMMEL HOCH" BY FELIX MENDELSSOHN. In
this wonderful piece, the
choruses reflect Mendelssohn's huge interest in the
music of his idol, J. S. Bach. The
exuberant opening chorus commences the performance full of energy and beauty.
- CHRISTMAS ORATORIO by Camille Saint-Saens.
As one of the great treasures of the Christmas
repertoire, this work features choral writing of
tremendous beauty with absolutely gorgeous solos
and ensemble singing.
- A DAY FOR DANCING by Lloyd Pfautsch. Dr. Pfautsch, longtime Professor of Sacred Music and Director of Choral Activities at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, wrote this composition for chorus, soprano, 3 instruments and percussion.
Conductor - Erick Brunner
Erick
moved to Taos two years ago from Boulder, Colorado, where he
was involved in the music scene for 32 years. He is a
graduate of Westminster Choir College, Princeton. He also
did graduate work for a number of years singing and working
under Robert Shaw, also in Princeton, New York, and
Philadelphia. While in Boulder, Erick served as music
director of several large churches there. He founded the
chorus for the Colorado Music Festival in the mid 70s and
also prepared choruses for the Boulder Bach Festival for a
number of years. During his time in Boulder Erick maintained
a large studio for vocal instruction and coaching as well.
He is very pleased to be living in New Mexico! Erick was
guest conductor with the Taos Community Chorus for its
series of Christmas concerts in December, 2008.
Taos Community Chorus
P. O. Box 2422
Taos, NM 87571
