Past concerts
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Letters to Our Beloved Earth, April 22 & 23, 2023
On Earth Day weekend our spring 2023 concert series saluted the beauty of our favorite planet in multiple languages and music styles. The program featured an intriguing mix of classical, contemporary, and international selections dedicated to the wonders of our planet. Two of those pieces made their Seattle debut: “HuXi”, composed by Ng Cheuk-yin, and “Mae-e”, composed by Kentaro Sato. |
Good Tidings—A Global Celebration
December 9 & 11, 2022 Our music director Joseph To created a rich and varied repertoire that celebrated love, laughter, and togetherness in the songs of many cultures. From the African Noel, to songs for Hanukkah, to medieval carols, and three pieces dedicated to the people of Ukraine, we covered the globe with a common musical language. Our performances were further enhanced by the talents of soloist Robert Wise and a remarkable string quartet of young musicians from the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra. |
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Turn, Turn, April 23, 2022
After nearly two years of online social and musical gatherings, Magnolia Chorale once again met in person to prepare and present spring concerts based on the theme “Turn, Turn”. Framed by Linda Spevacek’s song cycle Seasons, the repertoire reflected the ups and downs of our pandemic experience and the ultimate joy of reuniting with friends and family after a long absence. |
Cold is the Night: Scandinavian Carols
December 7 & 8, 2019 Our audiences came in from the cold to enjoy a lively collection of warm and wistful Scandinavian carols that skipped lightly from the bright yoiks of Finland, to energetic folksongs of Norway, to traditional tunes from Sweden and Denmark. We were honored to be accompanied by the talented Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag, a group of young musicians directed by Martha Levenson, who are devoted to playing traditional Nordic folk music. |
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Voices Raised, April 27 & 28, 2019
The Spring 2019 concert was filled with voices raised in joyful song, with a repertoire that ran the gamut of musical genres and eras. From Hans Bridger Heruth’s “Joy”, to “The Gift to Be Simple”, to the Lion Sleeps Tonight and “Feelin’ Groovy”, everyone was asking “How can I keep from Singing?" Even the audience joined in for the “Sound of Music” finale. |
Common Ground, December 1 & 2, 2018
“Common Ground” presented an inspirational blend of gospel music with a dash of traditional favorites. The highlight was Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass with its driving rhythms and soulful harmonies, followed by seasonal gospel favorites and a few familiar carols, that the audience joined in singing along. |
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Seriously Carefree, May 5 & 6, 2018
“Seriously Carefree” captured the essence of the wide range of musical styles and languages represented in our Spring 2018 concert. It was a repertoire packed with fun and romance, poetry and opera, and just a bit of the unexpected. From Stephen Sondheim’s Comedy Tonight to the nonsense of Mäntyjärvi’s El Hambo, to Verdi’s Brindisi, to Bill Withers' Lean on Me, there was something for everyone. And the audiences agreed. |
Keeping Peace, December 2 & 3, 2017
Our winter 2017 concerts took audiences on a musical journey of peace and celebration. First the audience joined the Chorale for a few well-known carols. Then the choir launched into a few seasonal classics. Local youth choirs joined us at each concert for an inspiring performance of Hope for Resolution followed by their own choral presentation. The Chorale’s main event The Armed Man Mass: A Mass for Peace, by Ken Jenkins evolved from a somber drumbeat to the optimistic “Ring in a thousand years of peace” to close the concert. |