“Winter Baroque” concert to be performed by Gateway Chamber Orchestra and Chorus December 2nd

November 24, 2012 |

Clarksville, TN – In 1731, the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his Sacred Cantata No. 4, also known as “Sleepers, Wake,” to be performed on the 27th Sunday after Trinity.

It’s a remarkably beautiful piece from the Baroque era, but the timing of its performance was a bit unfortunate.

Gateway Chamber Orchestra

Luckily for modern audiences, “Sleepers, Wake” is no longer confined to such rare appearances. But the piece’s performance history, coming so late in the year, has led it to be popularly associated with the holiday season. At 3:00pm on December 2nd, the newly formed Gateway Chamber Chorus will present the work as part of the Gateway Chamber Orchestra’s “Winter Baroque” concert at Madison Street United Methodist Church.

“This is really the unveiling of the chorus to the community,” Dr. Gregory Wolynec, conductor of the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, said.

Last spring, Rose set out to recruit talented vocalists from the Clarksville community. The chorus now boasts such gifted singers as APSU music professor emeritus Dr. George Mabry, APSU director of opera workshop Lisa Conklin-Bishop, soprano Hollie Dueker, tenor Dr. Thomas King, several APSU alumni and more than 25 local performers.

Gateway Chamber Orchestra

“All of them are from the Clarksville area, and they’re really quite good,” Rose, chorus director, said.

For the last four years, Wolynec has worked to make his ensemble the premiere orchestra for the Clarksville community, and he believed a choral component should go along with that. The Winter Baroque concert is now the perfect venue to debut that chorus, with pieces such as Handel’s “Messiah” on the program.

Moving the concert from APSU to the Madison Street United Methodist Church also allows the music to be performed in its proper venue – a church.

The program will also include Jared Wilson performing an organ concerto by Handel, Dr. Jeannette Zyko, APSU assistant professor of music, playing a sinfonia for oboe, and two a cappella pieces – Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen and O sapentia – performed by the choir.

“This concert will celebrate some of the great classical compositions of the Baroque time period,” Wolynec said. “Some of these works were written for performances for this time of year. And the program will end with an audience sing-along on some very popular holiday carols.”

The Winter Baroque concert is part of the orchestra’s 2012-13 season. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for students and active duty military, and $25.00 for a family of four. Tickets are available on the orchestra’s website, www.gatewaychamberorchestra.com, and at the church beginning at 1:00pm on the day of the concert.

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