Michael Delos as guest soloist

Michael Delos will be singing the baritone solo in Earl Robinson's "Ballad for Americans" at our upcoming concert. In addition to an active performing schedule and private teaching, he is also an adjunct professor of voice at Cornish College of the Arts. Check out his bio on their website. We're very excited about partnering with him on this project. We hope you'll be there to hear it!

See concert details on our website!

Concert coming soon!

Market Street Singers Present Turn the World Around

The Market Street Singers present:

Turn the World Around

Music With a Message

Saturday, May 19, 7:30pm

and

Sunday, May 20, 3:00pm

First Lutheran Church Ballard

(NW 65th & 20th NW, across from Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ).

No one doubts the persuasive power of music. Composers have long deployed memorable melodies and well-crafted lyrics to get a point across. Sometimes these messages are clear and rousing, other times they are subtle and quietly inspirational. Music like this comes from every corner of the world and opens pathways to positive change.

The Market Street Singers invites you to a celebration of some of the best choral music with a message. This diverse program covers such themes as social justice, equality, and world peace not only from folk and popular traditions, but also from classic masters such as Haydn, Verdi, and Holst.

The highlight will be “Ballad for Americans” by Seattle composer Earl Robinson. This 1939 work, a cantata for baritone soloist and choir, is an allegorical exploration of American history and progress, from a distinctly American point of view. Although the Ballad was first performed by Paul Robeson and later also recorded by Bing Crosby, it is rarely heard today. We are proud to present a specially revised and updated version by the composer for his 80th birthday Seattle concert gala held in 1990.

Locally renowned baritone Michael Delos will be our soloist.

Also with…

Chris Vincent, conductor

Ingrid Verhulsdonk, accompanist

This is a free event. Contributions gratefully accepted.

Click this link for a map and directions to First Lutheran Church Ballard:

http://www.ballardfirstlutheran.org/map.html

Educational Video

Want to more about famous classical composers? Just listen to the King's Singers. (BTW, they are so freakin' awesome!)

Connected!

Yay! The Market Street Singers website now has a "blog" button on the navigation menu so you can find this page more easily. Now I just have to get some other members interested in writing posts and we'll be cookin' with gas!

New season, great new music!

We had a great first rehearsal of the season last night, dipping our toes into some of the fantastic music that we'll be singing for our concert in May. The theme of the concert will be music for change, music that took a stand for some political or social cause. Sound dry? SO not true. I was choking back tears during more than one first reading of a piece last night. Of course, as an opera lover, the highlight of the evening for me was getting to work on Va Pensiero from Verdi's Nabucco, an anthem for unification of Italy when it was first written and performed. Check out this video from the Rome Opera recorded this fall to see what is means to modern Italians. Not a dry eye in the house!

Thanks to Roger in the tenor section for first posting the video on our Facebook page. Unless your Italian is really good, be sure to click on the CC button at the bottom of the player for the English translations!

Funded!

The Market Street Singers are extremely proud to announce...


WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE CIVIC PARTNERS GRANT FROM THE SEATTLE OFFICE OF ARTS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN 2012!!!

This is one of the most prestigious grants award by local government, even more so than the Department of Neighborhoods grant that we received while producing the Shilshole on the Pacific Rim concert in 2006. We don't yet know what level of support we will receive (we'll be told in January) and that may not be a huge sum, but just being selected is no small honor as it represents a meaningful endorsement by the city and our peers (a team of people who are very much in the know about music and choirs in Seattle). It also looks great to future possible grantors. Here are key portions from the city's very complimentary awards letter:


"On behalf of the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, we are pleased to notify you that based on the score you received in our peer panel review process and current budget projections, your organization is set to receive Civic Partner funding in 2012.


Congratulations! Your organization has passed rigorous review for public impact, quality and capacity by an independent peer panel of professionals with wide knowledge of the cultural sector. The city is proud to invest in your programs and services, knowing that your work is central to the vibrancy and quality of life in Seattle.


For planning purposes, you may count on Civic Partner support from the city in 2012 and are welcome to use our commitment in approaching other funders. Funding amounts are contingent on the city budget so as always, the Seattle Arts Commission, our citizen advisors and advocates, will count on your continued support in communicating the impact of these funds."

Huge thanks and kudos to everyone who worked on the grant application, especially Lucinda!