2011/2012 SEASON
Songs of Our Politics
Saturday, September 22, 2012
2 P.M.
Winchester Cultural Center
The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society will open its 50th anniversary season with "Songs of Our Politics," at the Winchester Cultural Center at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22nd. The program, featuring the 22-voice Musical Arts Singers & Instrumental Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Douglas R. Peterson, will bring to life over 200 years of presidential campaign music beginning with George Washington to modern times.
The unusual program includes historical narration, in addition to instrumental accompaniment. John Hanks will provide historical narration containing interesting anecdotes and historical facts about America's political parties and the candidates for the presidency. Keyboard accompaniment will be provided by Eric Eichorst.
The Musical Singers ensemble has performed "Songs of Our Politics" every four years prior to each presidential election season since 1992. Many people have grown weary of the 2012 presidential election, with its rhetorical hot air--endless campaigning advertising, mudslinging, empty promises and sound bites. "Songs of Our Politics" offers a breath of fresh air, a glimpse into the ways presidential candidates have courted and persuaded Americans to vote for them.
Typical campaign songs include "Welcome Mighty Chief" and "Yankee Doodle" (Washington); "Lincoln and Liberty" (Lincoln); "Happy Days are Here Again" Roosevelt); "Don't Let them Take it Away" (Truman); "I Like Ike" (Eisenhower); "High Hopes" (Kennedy); "God Bless the U.S.A." (Reagan) and "Don't Stop" (Clinton). Roger Wilhelm, composer & arranger of "Songs of Politics," is a former music director of Madrigal, a vocal ensemble of the Rochester (N.Y.) Oratorio Society.
The Society's 50th season opener marks the beginning of Dr. Peterson's 45th year as music director.
Admission: $10 in Advance $12 at Door
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (702) 455-7340
Download the concert flyer
Judas Maccabaeus
by G.F. Handel
Sunday October 28, 2012, 3 PM
UNLV Artemis W. Ham Hall
The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society under the direction of Dr. Douglas R. Peterson will celebrate its 50th Golden Anniversary season with a performance of G.F. Handel's oratorio, "Judas Maccabaeus," in Ham Concert Hall at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 28th.
The concert will feature the Musical Arts Chorus and Orchestra with guest soloists Amy Cofield Williamson, Soprano; Mezzo-Soprano, Juline Gilmore, Scott Williamson, Tenor; and Bass-Baritone, Neil Wilson in the popular oratorio. Ranking just behind "Messiah" in popularity, the melodies in "Judas Maccabaeus" are among Handel's best and many have become popular as performance pieces. The oratorio closes with triumphant chorus, "Hallelujah, Amen."
"Judas Maccabaeus" is the story of a famous Jewish leader (c 175 B.C.E.) who succeeded his father, Mattathias, in fighting off the armies of the Syrians and who thus reestablished the religious freedom for the Jews. His final victory is celebrated at Hanukkah, the "Feast of Lights," which commemorates the restoration and rededication of the temple.
The first performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" in April, 1747, was hugely successful and received no fewer than 54 performances before Handel's death in 1759, thirty-three of which were conducted by Handel himself. After "Messiah," it still continues to be the most frequently performed of his oratorios.
The Musical Arts Society performed Handel's masterwork in 1992 and 2004 during its 50-year history. See a sample from our 1992 concert featuring tenor soloist Steve Robinson
Chorus member Ken Bierman said of the 2004 concert "What a glorious presentation of Handel's "Judas Maccabaeus." It was fantastic and I enjoyed it more than I can tell you." RJ Reviewer Julia Osborne also wrote, "There's no doubt the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society knows how to present classical and popular music in a compelling, involving way."
This concert is co-sponsored by Thomas & Mack Center and the Nevada Arts Council.
Admission is $18 for adults; $12 for seniors, disabled, and military; and $8 for students with ID.
Tickets are available at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office, (702) 895-2787.
Download the concert flyer
We look forward to seeing you there!
Andrea Bocelli in Concert
Saturday, November 24, 2011
MGM Grand Garden Arena
The Musical Arts Chorus will perform with Andrea Bocelli in his Christmas engagement at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, November 24th, 2012.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the MGM Grand at (702) 891-7777
Please note that the SNMAS season pass will not be applicable to this concert
Musical Arts Singers in Concert
Sunday, February 10, 2013, 3 PM
UNLV Doc Rando Recital Hall
Beam Music Center
Blue Grass Mass by Carol Barnett
Broadway Pops (selections)
Saturday March 2, 2013, 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 3, 2013, 3 PM
CSN Horn Theatre (Cheyenne Campus)
The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society will perform the Nevada premiere of "The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass" by Carol Barnett on Saturday evening, March 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. and on March 3rd, at 3:00 p.m., in the Horn Theatre on the CSN campus. A five-member group of bluegrass instrumentalists will accompany the 55-voice Musical Arts Chorus in this unusual work. Carol Barnett's "Bluegrass Mass" is an unlikely blend of the traditional mass form and bluegrass music. It has the same movements as a traditional Mass -- Kyrie, Gloria, etc. -- interspersed with folk ballads and instrumental interludes. Vocal solos and ensembles and large choral sections happen as they do in most Masses, but a down-home flavor permeates the work.
The work is a joyful affirmation of life expressed in sophisticated choral sound and (engaging) jubilant bluegrass harmonies. Solo ballads describing the creation of the world intertwine with the movements of the Mass. In the Credo movement the tenor soloist sings "I do believe a place awaits so far across the Jordan...when we reach those mossy banks, we'll set aside our oars..." But until then "...row on...no one rows alone." A "Bluegrass Mass" ends as simply as it began, with the tenor singing "blessing be upon you, upon my people." Guest bluegrass musicians include guest soloist, Juline Gilmore, mezzo-soprano; Mary Danzig, fiddle; Gary Queen, banjo; Peter Danzig, mandolin; Art Gomez, guitar; and Geoff Neuman.
Classical singer, Juline Gilmore, grew up singing and listening to bluegrass music. Mary and Peter Danzig from Salt Lake City, have deep backgrounds in classical music and perform and record together as a folk duo called Otter Creek. Mary was the 2011 winner of the Utah State Fiddle Championship; Peter won the Utah State Mandolin Championship and took second place in the National Mandolin Championship.
The 22-voice Musical Arts Singers will also perform popular Broadway selections from "Les Miserables" and medleys from "State Fair" by Richard Rodgers and "Crazy for You" by George Gershwin. The Musical Arts Singers will close the program with the "Twentiana" highlighting music from the decade of the twenties.
Tickets priced at $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, students, military, and disabled are available at the Horn Theatre Box Office on the CSN campus at 651-5483 (LIVE).
Download the concert flyer
We look forward to seeing you there!
A Haydn, Mozart, Rutter Celebration!
Sunday, April 28th, 2013, 3 PM
UNLV Ham Hall
The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society commemorates its 50th Golden Anniversary season with "A Haydn, Mozart, and Rutter Celebration" in UNLV's Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon, April 28th. The concert under the direction of Dr. Douglas Peterson will feature the 55-voice Musical Arts Chorus, guest soloists, and the 25-piece Musical Arts Orchestra in the popular "Lord Nelson Mass," the most famous of the six late masses by Joseph Haydn.
Soloists in the masterwork include long-time SNMAS soloists Amy Cofield Williamson, soprano, Valerie Ore, contralto, and bass-baritone, Neil Wilson. Ms. Williamson is also heard in Mozart's lovely "Alleluia" from the motet, "Exultate Deo." The program also features John Rutter's sparkling setting of "When the Saints Go Marching In" and other spiritual arrangements by the popular composer.
"A Haydn, Mozart, and Rutter Celebration" concert is sponsored in part by the Nevada Arts Council. Admission is $18 for adults; $12 for seniors, disabled, and military; and $8 for students with ID. Tickets are available at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office call (895-2787).
Download the concert flyer
We look forward to seeing you there!
This program has been funded, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
