Wonderful Concert, Thank you Singers!

Director Ernest Siva rehearses the chorus before the concert.

The Pass Chorale Christmas Concert got us all into the Christmas spirit. The orchestra played brilliantly. Our concertmaster, Jeninne Hell, marked the scores of the string players so that their bowing would match the words the choristers were singing! It was a great experience to sing the Haydn Missa Cellensis, a marvelous work that was new to the singers and the instrumentalists. It took many rehearsals for the singers to master this difficult work. The soloists all had beautiful and difficult arias and ensembles.


Bass player waits while chorus rehearses before concert.

Our soloists for the mass were all from California State University, San Bernardino.
Stacy Fraser, soprano, heads the opera program at CSUSB. Tenor, Andrew Crane is head of choral music there. Alto, Danielle Perrault, and bass, Ulises Espinoza, are students in these programs. We are proud to partner with the fine musicians at Cal State, San Bernardino!

Christmas anthems were the second part of the program. These ranged from a 16th Century text, Remember, O Thou Man to a contemporary Brazilian carol complete with bongos, maracas, and claves. An Ave Maria by Franz Beibl was originally written for a firemen’s chorus in England. Those firemen must have been very accomplished singers! Andrew Crane and chorale member Monte Joham sang the solo parts.


Jill Trick prepares goodies. Her mother, Laura, helps in kitchen.

The concert was followed by a reception set up by Jill Trick and her mother, Laura Trick. They always provide beautiful decorations and arrangements. Volunteer Pat Murkland is always there to take tickets and hand out programs. We thank them!

We also thank our choristers who are all volunteers. They put in countless hours of rehearsals and home study to learn their parts. We get so deeply into this music that we come to love it and go through days of “withdrawal” when the concert is over. We are still hearing the music in our heads.


Joan Frost at the keyboard

We especially thank our accompanist, Joan Frost, who puts in as many hours as we do helping us to learn this music and playing in our concerts.
She is a true gem, and we couldn’t do what we do without her!

We thank all who attended the concert, supporting us with their presence. Thanks to donors who contributed as well.

Countdown to Concert

The Pass Chorale has extra rehearsals and longer rehearsals as we prepare for our Christmas Concert on December 12. We are all singing the music in our heads all day. This is one of the wonderful things that happens when we get deeply into great music. There is so much there, the more you sing it, the more you learn.

The rehearsal with the orchestra is Saturday afternoon, always an exciting time to hear the voices and full orchestra together for the first time.

Invite friends are relatives to enjoy our concert with us. It will get everyone in the Christmas spirit!

2:30pm
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
1321 W. Williams St.
Banning, CA

Phineas Festival

The Phineas Festival (named after Banning founder Phineas Banning) is a celebration of the start of the Holiday Season. It is scheduled on November 20, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, from 10 am to 6 pm. It will feature snow and snow games for kids, tours by antique fire engine or horse-drawn carriage, and lots of displays and exhibits. It will end with the lighting of the town Christmas Tree and lights in the windows of the downtown businesses.

The Pass Chorale is scheduled to sing on stage at 3 pm for 20 minutes. We'll be singing our Thanksgiving song plus Christmas carols. We will then go caroling around town, especially at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.

Pass Chorale November dates

The Pass Chorale will sing at the Banning "State of the City" luncheon. The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 17, at the Banning White House on the hill. To fit the season, we will sing some Thanksgiving songs and preview some of the Christmas anthems on our Concert program.

The Banning Cultural Alliance has also requested that the chorale sing at the Phineas Festival on Saturday, November 20. This festival is scheduled from 10 am to 6 pm and will end with the lighting of the town Christmas Tree. Christmas carols will be in order here.

Good Summer Progress, Still Time to Join

All through the summer we've had our ups and downs in attendance. People have been on vacation, at the Redlands Bowl, other commitments. But as we approach September, most of our singers are back and getting very serious about learning the music. We have practice CDs for the Haydn Mass. We learn the carols from rehearsals. Through the summer we've made good progress on both.

There is still time for interested singers to join and catch up! Our concert is on December 12, so we've got time. The music is really beautiful, with lots of variety. For example, we are having fun with the rhythms of the Brazilian carol.

Alto Robin had a tongue cancer operation, but was back with us 3 weeks after surgery. We are so happy to have her! Tenor Charlie will have knee replacement in October. We are almost like a sports team. We all work together to produce the music, and we suffer through injuries and problems together.

First Three Rehearsals

Its summer and many are traveling, enjoying the summer. We’ve had three rehearsals of the Chorale and each time, some singers were missing. Most of our regulars attended at least one rehearsal, and got their music.

Our major work for the Christmas concert is Haydn’s Missa Cellensis. We will perform is as an “English Mass,” that is, the Kyrie and Gloria only. That leaves us more time for several Christmas anthems. The mass is beautiful, and difficult.

We’re working on several Christmas anthems.

A Spotless Rose by Herbert Howells sets a 14th Century text. It has a beautiful baritone solo.

An Ave Maria by Franz Biebl was originally written for a Firemen’s chorus in England. It is for 8 parts and very beautiful. Those firemen were very talented indeed!

Past Three O’Clock is a song of a 17th Century London town crier. It is arranged for chorus and harp by Cary Radcliff.

Remember, O Thou Man is another 17th Century text, arranged by Robert Jordahl.

Popular choral composer, John Rutter, wrote the festive Rejoice and be Merry for chorus and hand bells.

Brazilian Christmas Carol, for chorus and percussion, is composed by Benjamin Harlan. We’ll sing it in English.

So far, the singers really like all the music. Come join us and keep cool by singing Christmas music all summer!

Pass Chorale Rehearsals Resume June 15

We start rehearsals for our December Christmas concert on June 15. We'll be working on 6 new Christmas anthems and the Kyrie and Gloria of a Haydn mass. We are excited to be singing again!

Wonderful Spring Concert

Our Spring Concert was really a thrill. I'm sure all of the other singers also still have the Mozart Requiem running in their heads. We had a good and enthusiastic audience too. We are so grateful to our singers who practiced this music many months. We got to know it well, and this is a benefit of singing in a chorus like ours. We lean so much from this music every time we get to study it. We are grateful to the many who came to the concert. I don't think most people know how much it means to us who have lived with and love this music to have others come to share it with us.

Next on our agenda is a month off. Our next meeting will be June 15. We will start rehearsing for our Christmas Concert! Anyone interested in joining us is welcome to attend this rehearsal.

Spring Concert Program

Program

Exultate Jubilate, K. 165
Rebecca Tomlinson, soprano

1. Aria
Exsultate, jubilate, o vos animae beatae, exsultate, jubilate, dulcia cantica canendo; cantui vestro respondendo psallant aethera cum me.

Rejoice, resound with joy, o you blessed souls, rejoice, resound with joy, singing sweet songs. In response to your singing let the heavens sing forth with me.

2. Recitative
Fulget amica dies, jam fugere et nubila et procellae; exortus est justis inexspectata quies.Undique obscura regnabat nox, surgite tandem laeti qui timuistis adhuc, et jucundi aurorae fortunatae frondes dextera plena et lilia date.

The lovely day glows bright, now clouds and storms have fled. A sudden calm has arisen for the just. Everywhere dark night held sway before, but now at last, rise up and rejoice! You who are happy and not afraid in the blessed dawn, make offerings of garlands and lillies.

3. Aria
Tu virginum corona, tu nobis pacem dona, tu consolare affectus, unde suspirat cor. Alleluia.

You, O crown of virgins, grant us peace, console our feelings, from which our hearts sigh. Alleluia


Requiem, K626
W.A. Mozart
Completed by Franz Xaver Sussmayr in its traditional form
Rebecca Tomlinson, soprano
Danielle Perrault, alto
Andrew Crane, tenor
Monty Joham, bass


1. Introitus - Requiem, Chorus and Soprano Solo
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn, O God, shall be sung in Zion, and a vow shall be paid in Jerusalem. To thee all flesh shall come. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

2. Kyrie Eleison, Chorus
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.


3. Sequenz

Dies Irae, Chorus
Dies irae, dies illa Solvet saeclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sibylla.
Quantus tremor est futurus Quando judex est venturus Cuncta stricte discussurus.

Day of wrath, that day will dissolve the earth in ashes as David and the Sibyl bear witness. What dread there will be when the Judge shall come to judge all things strictly.

Tuba Mirum, Solo Quartet
Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum coget omnes ante thronum.
Mors stupebit et natura cum resurget creatura judicanti responsura.
Liber scriptus proferetur in quo totum continetur, unde mundus judicetur.
Judex ergo cum sedebit quid quid latet apparebit, nil inultum remanebit.
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus,quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix justus sit securus?

A trumpet, spreading a wondrous sound through the graves of all lands, to bring all before the throne. Death and Nature shall be astonished when all creation rises again to answer to the Judge. A book, written in, will be brought forth in which is contained everything that is, out of which the world shall be judged. When therefore the Judge takes His seat whatever is hidden will reveal itself. nothing will remain unavenged. What then shall I say, wretch that I am, what advocate entreat to speak for me, When even the righteous may hardly be secure?

Rex Tremendae, Chorus
Rex tremendae majestatis, qui salvandos salvas gratis, salve me, fons pietatis.

King of awful majesty, who freely saves the redeemed, save me, O fount of goodness.

Recordare, Solo Quartet
Recordare, Jesu pie, quod sum causa tuae viae, ne me perdas illa die.
Quaerens me sedisti lassus, redemisti crucem passus, tantus labor non sit cassus.
Juste judex ultionis Donum fac remissionis ante diem rationis. Ingemisco tamquam reus, culpa rubet vultus meus, supplicanti parce, Deus. Qui Mariam absolvisti et latronem exaudisti, mihi quoque spem dedisti. Preces meae non sunt dignae, sed tu bonus fac benigne, ne perenni cremer igne. Inter oves locum praesta, et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra.

Remember, blessed Jesus, that I am the cause of your pilgrimage. Do not forsake me on that day. Seeking me you did sit down. Weary, you redeemed me, suffering death on the cross. Let not such toil be in vain. just avenging judge, grant remission before the day of reckoning. I groan like a guilty man. Guilt reddens my face. Spare a suppliant, O God You absolved Mary Magdalene and heard the plea of the thief, to me also you have given hope. My prayers are not worthy, but your merciful goodness grant that I burn not in everlasting fire.Place me among your sheep and separate me from the goats, setting me on your right hand.

Confutatis, Chorus
Confutatis maledictis flammis acribus addictis, voca me cum benedictis.
Oro supplex et acclinis, cor contritum quasi cinis, gere curam mei finis.

When the accursed have been confounded and given over to the bitter flames, call me with the blessed. I pray in supplication on my knees, my heart contrite as the dust, safeguard my fate.



Lacrimosa, Chorus
Lacrimosa dies illa qua resurget ex favilla judicandus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus, pie Jesu Domine, dona eis equiem.

Mournful that day when from the dust shall rise guilty man to be judged. Therefore spare him, O God, merciful Jesus, Lord. Grant them rest; grant them rest.


4. Offertorium

Domine Jesu, Chorus and Solo Quartet
Domine, Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni, et de profundo lacu. Libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum, sed signifer sanctus Michael retraesentet eas in lucem sanctam, quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit. Deliver them from the lion's mouth. Neither let them fall into darkness nor the black abyss swallow them up. And let St. Michael, your standard-bearer, lead them into the holy light which once you promised to Abraham and his seed.

Hostias, Chorus
Hostias et preces, tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus; tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus: fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam, quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

We offer unto you this sacrifice of prayer and praise. Receive it for those souls whom today we commemorate. Allow them, O Lord, to cross from death into the life which once you promised to Abraham and his seed.

5. Sanctus, Chorus
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth! Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Osanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

6. Benedictus, Solo Quartet and Chorus
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

7. Agnus Dei, Chorus
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest eternal.

8. Communio, Chorus and Soprano Solo
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis, cum santis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.

May eternal light shine on them, O Lord. with your saints for ever, because you are merciful. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them, with your saints for ever, because you are merciful.



In Honor of Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Salute...................................Service songs arr. J. Eilers
Stars and Stripes Forever.............................J.P. Sousa

Requiem Notes
The Requiem was the last music written by Mozart who died in 1791 at the age of 35. The first 8 measures of the Lacrimosa are the last music he wrote. The Requiem was completed by his student Franz Sussmayr, probably according to Mozart’s instructions.

Quotations from Mozart’s Last Year by H.C. Robbins Landon
“Mozart never thought of beginning a Requiem at any other time, and often said to me that he undertook this work with the greatest pleasure, since church music was his favorite genre. He was going to compose it with such fervor that his friends and enemies would study it after his death, ‘If only I can stay alive that long. For this must be my masterpiece and my swan song.’”
--- Constanze Mozart (In a letter after Mozart’s death)

“I then ran back to my distracted sister. Sussmayr was at Mozart’s bedside. The Requiem lay on the quilt and Mozart was explaining to him how, in his opinion, he ought to finish it. His last movement was an attempt to express with his mouth the drum passages in the Requiem. That, I can still hear.”
--- Sophie Haibel (Constanze Mozart’s sister)



•Thanks to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for providing this sanctuary for our concerts and space every Tuesday evening for Pass Chorale rehearsals.
•Thanks to our faithful and wonderful accompanist, Joan Frost.
•Thanks to concert angels Millie Plueger and Ernest and June Siva for donations to partially support this concert.
•Thanks to Pat Murkland, Jill Trick and Laura Trick for handing our programs and handling our reception.
•Thanks to Pass Chorale Members! Members of the Pass Chorale are volunteers who love this music and put in hours and hours of rehearsal to bring it to our community.
•Thanks to you for supporting fine music in the Pass by your presence at this concert. Please consider making a contribution to support the work of the Pass Chorale. Each concert costs far more than the money we take in from attendees. The Pass Chorale is a non-profit, 501c3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible. See a Chorale member or send contributions to The Pass Chorale, P.O. Box 589, Beaumont, CA 92223.

Pass Chorale Spring Concert 2010

The Pass Chorale 2010 Spring Concert features music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The beautiful “Exultate Jubilate,” K. 165, a solo motet for soprano and orchestra, will be sung by Rebecca Tomlinson, voice faculty member at California State University, San Bernardino. The motet has three movements, the last is the famous “Alleluia.”

Mozart’s last master-piece, the Requiem, K. 626, was still unfinished when he died at the age of 35. At his death he was working on the Requiem and his sister-in-law later reported that his last conscious moments were spent telling his student, Franz Sussmayr, how to complete the work. His last movement was “an attempt to express the the drum passages with his mouth.” The Requiem was made “popular” by the award-winning film, Amadeus. Soloists for this performance are Rebecca Thomlinson, soprano, Danielle Perrault, alto, Andrew Crane, tenor, and Monty Joham, bass. The soloists, chorale, and orchestra are directed by Ernest Siva.

The Pass Chorale is a community chorus serving the San Gorgonio Pass area and is a 501-c-3, public benefit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

When: May 16, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Where: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1320 W. Williams St., Banning.
Tickets: Adults, $15, Seniors and Students, $10
Further information: Ernest Siva, 951-849-4676.

Mozart madness

The Pass Chorale has been working hard on the Mozart Requiem. We passed out the text and translation so everyone will know what we are singing about. The requiem mass has some different words added to the ordinary mass. For the first time, this week, we sang through the entire Requiem! The first time we sing through the whole work is always an important milestone for us. We are also building our stamina. Director Ernest is also busy recruiting orchestra players. I am working on the program and the press release as well.

First Rehearsals

The Pass Chorale has had 3 rehearsals. The first was during the big storm so there were several members who weren't there. We handed out music and listened to a recording of the Mozart Requiem. Those of us who had sung it before couldn't resist singing along with the recording. It is such magnificent music! We started on the first two movements, the Introitus and Kyrie. We broke early because of the rain. It turned out that after that rehearsal we (Ernest and June) were stranded for three days. We got flooded in and then snowed in! We got out Saturday afternoon. Luckily, we had stocked up on food. We were offline during much of that time because we have a satellite internet connection. The dish doesn't do well in blizzards!

The second rehearsal was our annual business meeting. We talked about our usual problems of fund-raising, recruiting new singers, and getting more people at our concerts. We are gradually building our audience and local support has been great. We thanked our accompanist, Joan, for her faithful service to the Chorale, and acknowledged a Wonderful $500 donation by former accompanist, Millie! We worked more on the first two movements of the Requiem. We were still missing some members.

Our third rehearsal was like old home week. The only missing member was soprano Pat, gone to help with the birth of her grandchild! Sopranos Cherry and Judy were back. Tenor Linda who had a back operation and had to take time off from Chorale, came in complete with walker. We all cheered her. It was good to get caught up and so good to be all together again. We reviewed the first two movements, spending most time on the Kyrie. Then we started the next 2 movements. It was a wonderful night! We still would like more singers!

Pass Chorale is Singing Again!

We know its still winter, but the Pass Chorale begins rehearsals for our spring concert tonight, January 19. The featured work is the Mozart Requiem, one of the all-time favorites for singers. This gorgeous music was the last thing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was working on before he died at the young age of 35. The first eight measures of the “Lacrimosa” movement were the last measures of music he wrote. He may have known he was working on his own requiem.

The Pass Chorale is a community chorus serving the San Gorgonio Pass area. Interested singers are invited to attend a rehearsal, or call director, Ernest, for further info (951-849-4676).

Pass Chorale to resume soon

The Chorale is now on "vacation." That is, we're suffering from Bach withdrawal. The concert was a wonderful experience. We all had tremendously busy Christmas and New Year celebrations. We will start rehearsals for our spring concert on January 19, 2010, 7pm, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1320 W. Williams St., Banning.

We will be passing out scores of the Mozart Requiem. Everyone in the chorale is so excited that we'll be performing this work. It is a favorite among singers, and I think the instrumentalists love it too. A really good alto who had to leave us for the last concert, is returning to do this one.

We welcome anyone with singing experience who would love to learn this music.