2010-2011 Season

Back by popular demand, award-winning pianist and master story teller, Richard Glazier is considered one of America's foremost authorities on the American popular song. Not only does he bring audiences the music of the Golden Age, but a fascinating commentary about the composers of the era as well. Throughout his performance, Glazier enchantingly brings back fond memories of Judy Garland, George and Ira Gershwin, and an exciting glimpse of our musical heritage. * "The playing was exceptional…meticulous with detailing and touch, free and easy with pulse,…" Los Angeles Times * "Richard Glazier has Gershwin in his soul." Michael Feinstein

The Playground Ensemble, Artists-in-Residence at DU's Lamont School of Music, is a force for new music in the Rocky Mountain region. This unique musical ensemble will be presenting a magical evening inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach, history's most inspired and inspiring composer! This performance will feature new works that quote, reference, or emulate the great master.

This concert made possible by a collaboration grant from SCFD (A collaboration between Augustana Arts, American Guild of Organists - Denver Chapter and Alliance Francaise de Denver) This is more than a concert…it is a musical, educational and social experience! Olivier Latry, titular organist of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral, is one of the world's most distinguished organists; not only in France, but in the international community. Latry is an ambassador of seventeenth to twenty-first century French organ music, equally devoting his concert performances to the art of improvisation. * "...brilliant, rapturously received recital…culminated with enough razzle-dazzle to bring the audience to its feet." The Los Angeles Times * "Another standing ovation left no doubt as to the enthusiasm of the audience." The American Organist

David Rutherford, Music Director, MSCO
Essence - Spirit - Soul. This music is dedicated to seeking out and magnifying the nature and substance of a person, a place, a time, an experience, and faith. Music is unique in its immediate expression of those elements and qualities in our lives that defy language. In this season opening performance of Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra, it is our own essence, spirit and soul that we hear in the music of J.S. Bach, Gabriel Faure, Michael Torke and Joseph Haydn.

The University of Northern Colorado's premier choral ensemble, the Concert Choir, will present a performance of choral works balanced between the glorious sacred music of the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran traditions and the 'profane' --- that which is secular rather than religious. The second half will include shorter works devoted to themes of love, country, life, and the human emotion.

Can a cat really play the piano? Is it possible for a boy to turn into a dog? Just how well can orchestral musicians bark? And who can be the better hero---cats or dogs? Join us for a special family concert that answers all these questions with delightful music, narrations, and video. Best of all, Nora, the piano playing cat, joins the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra for Catcerto, a piano concerto for cat and orchestra! Boys and girls - bring your favorite stuffed animal!

The Colorado Choir presents its 34th annual program, including classic holiday pieces and warm, cozy folk songs! Bring your family and friends to enjoy the season with an evening of celebrated a cappella and accompanied choral music.

Celebrating this joyous season through song.

Kantorei welcomes the joy of the holiday season by presenting a memorable afternoon of holiday choral music, focusing on the family favorites that promise to brighten the holiday spirit for all who attend. Along with classical pieces for choir, Kantorei presents traditional gems such as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Sleigh Ride," "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire," "The Holly and the Ivy" and many more. Come one and all!!!

After rave reviews, the phenomenally talented pianist Matt Savage returns to Denver! And he's not alone. Matt will be performing original tunes and swinging jazz improvisations with the Boston-based Matt Savage Trio, consisting of Matt on piano, bass player John Funkhouser and drummer Steve Silverstein. People magazine calls Matt Savage "a genius with 88 keys." Chick Corea calls Matt and his music "delightful and inspiring." With the addition of the members from his Trio, the performance will be over the top. Reduced Pricing for Groups of Ten or More!

With 75 mixed voices, the St. Olaf Choir is considered one of the finest college a cappella choirs in the United States. For more than three-quarters of a century, the choir has maintained its original purpose---study and preparation of a wide range of representative sacred choral literature for public performance. This concert will include works for organ and choir with music spanning the 17th-21st centuries. * "When they opened their mouths to sing, an even wall of sound emerged: words clear, notes true. But more than that, the notes were felt…" The New York Times * "The St. Olaf Choir…amply demonstrated why it is among the nation's best." Denver Post

If you loved The King's Singers, then you will not want to miss VOCES8! Inspiring people through music, VOCES8 presents a musical journey with a repertoire that spans 500 years and three continents! Their performance includes arrangements of pop and jazz, and harking back to their roots as English choristers, they share the sacred and secular music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras. This lively group does more than sing - they enthrall! * "In the days when instruments were embryonic and voices reigned supreme, Britain's choral masterpieces set stratospheric bars for Europe to reach. Good thing, then, that VOCES8 is here to remind us of that." Timeout Beijing * "The a cappella group, VOCES8, offers an impressive stage presence with imaginative theatricality and a well-balanced programme." Classical Music Daily
Reduced Pricing for Groups of Ten or More!

It's the nexus of two worlds: an a cappella choir, a chamber orchestra and beautiful music created together! Kantorei, one of the most recognized semi-professional choirs in the U.S., will be performing with the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra, culminating in a beautiful collaboration with R. Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music and John Rutter's The Lord is My Light and My Salvation. On this special evening, Kantorei will also be performing selections from the Strathclyde Motets by James MacMillan, Finnegan's Wake by Henk Badings and much, much more.

Spring is in the air, and The Colorado Choir will be featuring classic a cappella and accompanied choral selections, with a special and delightfully charming performance with the Arapahoe High School Concert Choir. Join us in a breath of fresh air and experience over 120 exceptional musically blended voices.

Come on board this first flight with AVE, as they soar to new heights with a unique new vocal blend. Still a foursome, they welcome two new members to this first ever Augustana Arts concert together. They guarantee to pilot you to some fascinating places in first-class musical style. This pleasurable flight will suit every taste - exceptional in style and luxury.

We're giving the woodwinds the night off! Dr. Cindy Lindeen-Martin joins MSCO for an absolutely stunning Concerto Rumano by Italian composer, Alfredo Casella written for Organ, Brass, Timpani and Strings. Casella studied composition with Gabriel Faure, sitting next to both Georges Enescu and Maurice Ravel. The monumental concerto draws on influences from these impressionists, as well as Stravinsky and Richard Strauss. More music for brass and strings rounds out this memorable evening!

Colorado Women's Chorale will be celebrating the American Spirit, with music by Walker, Stroope, and other time-honored folk songs.

Topping off their musical season, Colorado Choir presents amazing a cappella and accompanied folk songs, enlightened spirituals and remarkable classical choral selections!

The final concert of the season is sure to turn your musical world topsy-turvy! The Etruscan Concerto by Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Bridge of Light for Viola and Orchestra by Keith Jarrett and fugues by Glenn Gould and Leonard Bernstein, along with special guest appearances by Augustana Vocal Ensemble (AVE) and Dr. Cindy Lindeen-Martin, all work together to explore how music can be turned on its head!