Easton Choral Arts Society celebrates the Christmas season with “Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio,” on Friday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 9 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church Easton. Late in 1858, the Church of the Madeleine commissioned 23-year-old Camille Saint-Saëns to write an oratorio for that year’s Christmas celebration. He set to work on December 4, and by December 15 had finished a 10-movement work telling the Christmas story, with additional commentaries upon that event. Christmas Oratorio is an intimate work that requires five soloists, a chorus, and small instrumental forces—an organ, a harp, and strings.

Maestro Wes Lockfaw, who directs the chorus, states, “In this work, Saint-Saëns blends a number of musical styles—narrative recitatives, folk-like melodies, passionate operatic solo passages, and simple choral writing.”

Soloists include Soprano Yulia Petrachuk, who sang with Easton Choral Arts Society last spring; Mezzo Soprano Katelyn Jackman; Contralto Alexandra Coburn; Tenor Joshua Baumgardner, also a returning soloist; and Bass William Meinert. Born in Russia, Petrachuk studied at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and is a graduate of Bern Opera Studio in Bern, Switzerland. She has performed at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, at the Vienna Music Festival in Vienna, Austria, and at Smetana Hall in Prague, Czech Republic. As a bass, Meinert, who currently studies with William Sharp at Peabody Institute, has been praised for his “evenly produced, promising bass” (Opera News) and “charismatic [and] exhilarating comic flair” (Boston Musical Intelligencer). This season, he performed with Baltimore Concert Opera, with Opera North, and with Madison Opera. Alexandra Coburn, a contralto from Houston, Texas, is an undergraduate from Louisiana State University. She is currently studying in Washington D.C. at the Potomac Vocal Institute under Elizabeth Bishop. Jackman has performed at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, and Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar. This season, she will return to Baltimore Concert Opera, the Annapolis Opera, and the Kennedy Center. Baumgardner is a fresh new voice in the world of classical music. He teaches in Washington DC, where he also maintains an active performing career that spans works from Haydn and Mozart, to modern, 20th century operas written with the intent of bringing young, new audiences into the world of classical music.

Top, L-R: Maestro Wes Lockfaw, Soprano Yulia Petrachuk, Mezzo-Soprano Katelyn Jackman. Bottom, L-R: Contralto Alexandra Coburn, Tenor Joshua Baumgardner, Bass William Meinert

“Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio,” opens with a pastoral instrumental prelude which sets the mood for the Christmas story, evoking images of a shepherd playing a flute, and a rustic manger, with the holy family and adoring animals. Although Saint-Saëns commented that this movement is in the style of Bach, it is pure 19th century Romanticism. His Quartet movement for two sopranos, alto, and baritone is crafted in Handelian style. At the end of the performance, the audience will join the chorus with additional seasonal selections.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Tickets will be $30 at the door and are available online in advance at $25 at www.eastonchoralarts.org or at Ticket Hotline 410-200-0498.  Students will be admitted free (reservation required). Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchases are recommended.

ECAS was founded in 1977 by organist Florence Ruley of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a group of caring singers was organized to commemorate the installation of a new bishop. The experience was so rewarding that they continued with the idea of singing two to three concerts a year. As public appreciation and awareness of the Easton Choral Arts Society was growing within the community. Its presence was marked by a new and thoughtful broadening of the repertoire, featuring guest soloists, and professional instrumentalists.

In 2010, Wes Lockfaw became Easton Choral Arts Society’s fifth Artistic Director. A very talented and accomplished organist, pianist, and choral director, Wes has led music ministries in seven states as well as having served as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and piano instructor in a college environment. In January of 2009, he accepted the position of Organist and Music Director at Christ Church Episcopal in Easton, Maryland where he directs ensembles ranging from children to adults.

Thanks to community support, Easton Choral Arts is keeping the spirit of its mission alive — to bring great choral masterworks programs to audiences of all ages on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 

The Easton Choral Arts Society, under the direction of Maestro Wes Lockfaw, will open its 41st concert season with Music from Royal Occasions, on Friday, October 19, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 21, 4 p.m. at Christ Church, Easton. The concert features an exciting collection of pieces written for coronations, weddings, funerals and other royal celebrations during the past five centuries.

Publicity surrounding the royal family this year was intense, due to several major royal occasions in 2018. The Queen, 91, celebrated the 65th anniversary of her coronation. Prince Charles marked his 70th birthday. HRH, future king, Prince George has observed his fifth birthday. Prince Harry’s wedding was a world-wide event, and the royal family welcomed two new babies.

Mr. Lockfaw has chosen a varied selection of songs. Birthday Song For A Royal Child is a poem composed by C. Day-Lewis in honor of the birth of Prince Andrew on 19 February 1960, and set to music by Sir Arthur Bliss, Master of The Queen’s Music. O Hearken Thou was written by Edward Elgar for chorus and orchestra, for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary and was completed in March 1911. Ubi Caritas was included in the ceremony at the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Paul Mealor’s version of this hymn translates to “Where charity and love are, God is there.” Zadok The Priest is a British anthem composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. The chorus will also sing John Rutter’s stunning anthem This is the Day, one of the highlights of the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William.

The chorus’ Christmas concert will follow on December 7 and December 9 with Saint-Saëns’ lyrical Christmas Oratorio, along with seasonal favorites. This performance will also be sung at Christ Church Easton.

As the archives tell the story, there has been great joy and challenge in presenting beautiful music through the years. Easton Choral Arts has sung a wide variety of glorious music, represented by selections from many different eras, styles and composers. The society has brought musical joy and beauty to our community since 1977, and it continues this tradition into a new season with three remarkable programs.

Season Tickets are available at a discount and individual tickets are $25 and are available at www.eastonchoralarts.org or our Ticket Hotline 410-200-0498.  Students will be admitted free (reservation required). Tickets will be $30 at the door. Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchases are recommended.

ECAS was founded in 1977 by organist Florence Ruley of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a group of caring singers was organized to commemorate the installation of a new bishop. The experience was so rewarding that they continued with the idea of singing two to three concerts a year. As public appreciation and awareness of the Easton Choral Arts Society was growing within the community. Its presence was marked by a new and thoughtful broadening of the repertoire, featuring guest soloists, and professional instrumentalists.

In 2010, Wes Lockfaw became Easton Choral Arts Society’s fifth Artistic Director. A very talented and accomplished organist, pianist, and choral director, Wes has led music ministries in seven states as well as having served as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and piano instructor in a college environment. In January of 2009, he accepted the position of Organist and Music Director at Christ Church Episcopal in Easton, Maryland where he directs ensembles ranging from children to adults.

Thanks to community support, Easton Choral Arts is keeping the spirit of its mission alive — to bring great choral masterworks programs to audiences of all ages on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

Easton Choral Arts Society, founded in 1977, is holding open auditions for its Christmas concert. Composed of members from the Delmarva region, the Society performs a variety of music, ranging from classical to works by contemporary composers. Auditions are scheduled by appointment, and interested singers may contact ECAS through the website EastonChoralArts.org or by e-mail at weslockfaw@christchurcheaston.org. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings 7:00 to 9:00, at Christ Church Easton, 111 S Harrison Street, Easton.

Easton Choral Arts Society was created to bring quality choral music to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and to provide local singers with the opportunity to enhance their musical knowledge and skills in an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.

The Society is supported by grants from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

To inaugurate the new season, Easton Choral Arts will perform Music for Royal Occasions at Christ Church Easton on Friday, October 19, and Sunday, October 21. Recognizing 2018 as a milestone year for British Royals, the program will showcase music that has been commissioned by the royal family over several hundred years. More recent commissions such as those for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be included in the repertoire. 

In celebration of the Christmas season, the chorus will perform Camille Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio accompanied by five soloists, organ, harp and strings. Afterwards the audience will be invited to join the chorus in singing seasonal favorites. Also to be held at Christ Church Easton, performances will take place on Friday, December 7 and Sunday, December 9.

In April, Maestro Lockfaw will introduce two 21st century multi-movement works, For A Breath of Ecstasy by Michael John Trotta and Where Dreams Fly by William Averitt. Accompanied by four hands at one piano, Trotta’s composition has been called “a true choral gem” and will likely solidify its place in the vast choral canon of the new century.  Where Dreams Fly offers a musical peek into the fantastical visual world of Marc Chagall via poetry by Robert Bode underscored by oboe and string quartet. The performances will be held at Christ Church, Easton on Friday, April 27, and Sunday, April 29, 2019. Season tickets for all three concerts may be purchased by visiting www.eastonchoralarts.org .

Easton Choral Arts is under the direction of Wes Lockfaw, who is also music director at Christ Church in Easton. Mr. Lockfaw, whose choirs were featured in 2014 at the historic Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, is also director of the Christ Church Concert Series and the Dean of the Mid-Shore Maryland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

For singers who enjoy a wide range of choral music and high quality performances, Easton Choral Arts invites you to consider becoming a part of this vibrant and exciting community of musicians.  Auditions are scheduled by appointment, and interested singers may contact ECAS at www.EastonChoralArts.org or by e-mailing eastonchoralarts@gmail.com. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings 7 to 9 pm at Christ Church in Easton and will resume August 21.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is supported by grants from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Choptank Electric Cooperative, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Easton Choral Arts Society to present its 40th season finale with Johannes Brahms’ commanding German Requiem, considered one of the greatest monuments of choral music, on Friday, April 27 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 29 at 4:00 PM at Christ Church in downtown Easton. It is a deeply moving and profound choral work, a large-scale piece for chorus, orchestra, soprano and baritone soloist. Under the direction of Artistic Director Wes Lockfaw, the chorus will be accompanied by Soprano Yulia Petrachuk, Baritone Javier Arrey and chamber orchestra.

Javier was born in Valdivia, Chile where he first studied piano and musical theory. Later he studied singing with Professor Hanns Stein at the Universidad de Chile, Santiago, and choir conducting at the Teatro Municipal. He is an alumnus of Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and the Castleton Festival under Lorin Maazel, and is considered the strongest, singer with a mellifluous, robust baritone. He is heralded as one of the most sought after bel canto baritones of the new generation. In 2017 he joined the roster of The Metropolitan Opera as Schaunard in La Bohème. 

Yulia Petrachuk and Javier Arrey

Born in Russia, Ms. Petrachuk studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and is a graduate of the Bern Opera Studio in Bern, Switzerland. Her debut as a professional opera singer was with the State Theater Bern, Switzerland in 2010. According to Daniel Rigazzi, Stage Director at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City,“Yulia is a special and unique artist, able to hold her own on any stage in the world”.

The German Requiem emerged as a deeply personal musical memorial. Brahms was innovative in his combination of styles and use of vernacular German, so different from the long-standing Latin mass for the dead. This requiem, instead of creating a Mass for the dead, was dedicated to the mourners left behind on Earth. The result was a radiant, joy-filled work in seven sections, each concluding with a mood of cheerful confidence or loving promise. Brahms’ German Requiem is a work of great intensity that speaks to people of all faiths and to believers and non-believers alike.

Tickets are $25 for advanced sale and $30 at the door. Children are admitted free (reservation required). Purchase tickets at www.eastonchoralarts.org or call 410-200-0498.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is supported by grants from the Talbot County Arts Council, the Maryland State Arts Council and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

On February 22, 2018, The Easton Choral Arts Society will be holding its “Hit a High Note” fund raiser at the newly refurbished Mason’s Redux 2017 restaurant in Easton, MD. The evening will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a three course dinner, live entertainment, silent auctions and a raffle.  Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased on line at www.eastonchoralarts.org or by calling 410 200 0498.

Mason’s Redux 2017

The Easton Choral Arts Society, celebrating its 40^th anniversary, is an auditioned choral ensemble which believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, the Easton Choral Arts Society brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

Come and enjoy an evening at Mason’s with family and friends and support the mission of the Easton Choral Arts Society in its ongoing dedication to the performance of beautiful and inspiring choral music.

The Easton Choral Arts Society, founded in 1977, has announced auditions for its 40th concert season. Composed of members from all over the Delmarva region, the Society performs a variety of music, ranging from classical to works by living composers. Auditions are scheduled by appointment, and interested singers may contact ECAS through the website EastonChoralArts.org or by e-mail at eastonchoralarts@gmail.com. Rehearsals will be held Tuesday evenings 7:00 to 9:00, at Christ Church in Easton beginning Aug. 22.

Look for a surprising and thrilling concert season as Easton Choral Arts Society, presents a wide span of choral works from a rich array of music ranging from Medieval through twenty-first century composers. Information on specific selections can be found on the ECAS website.

Guiding the chorus to the threshold of its fifth decade of performance and choral excellence, Maestro Wes Lockfaw will direct the chorus along with guest artists throughout the season.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is supported by grants from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Choptank Electric Cooperative, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.