January 24, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Goldstein § 941-928-0176
Su Byron § [email protected]
Belle Canto Celebrates Women’s History Month in:
“Singspiration III: And Then There Was Music”
With Guest Composer Gwyneth Walker, Sarasota Young Voices, the Chroma Quartet and Others
March 9 § First United Methodist Church
Belle Canto, Sarasota’s premier women’s vocal ensemble, joins forces with Sarasota Young Voices, the Chroma Quartet, and Adam De Sorgo, oboe, and Bruce Lehman, percussion, in this musical celebration of women composers, poets and musicians.
(Sarasota, FL) In a concert celebrating Women’s History Month, Belle Canto, Sarasota’s premier women’s choral ensemble, accompanied by Jonathan Spivey, joins forces with Sarasota Young Voices, The Chroma Quartet, Adam De Sorgo, oboe, and Bruce Lehman, percussion, in “Singspiration III: And Then There Was Music.” The concert is Sunday, March 9, 2014, 7 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 104 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. A $10 donation is requested. For tickets and information, visit www.firstsrq.com/music/fine-arts-series or call 941-955-0935.
The concert is Belle Canto’s third annual concert honoring Women’s History Month, a national celebration of women’s contributions to American history, culture, and society. According to Elizabeth Goldstein, Belle Canto’s artistic director, America’s heritage of words and music created by women is truly something to sing about.
“This concert includes a stirring celebration of women poets and the composers they inspired,” she says. “It also showcases great women composers and musicians.” Goldstein adds that the concert will feature three works by Gwyneth Walker, a towering American composer. “Two of Gwyneth’s compositions that we will perform in this concert were inspired by the American poet May Swenson’s poems, ‘I Will Be Earth,’ and ‘Love Is a Rain of Diamonds.’ Both poems crackle with a life-force energy. Gwyneth’s soaring arrangements bring that soulful spark to musical life—and always move audiences.”
Goldstein adds that the concert will also showcase three of composer Kevin Memley’s arrangements of poems by Sara Teasdale, as well Ysaye Barnwell’s (the former vocalist in Sweet Honey in the Rock) rousing song, “Wanting Memories.”
“We’re also delighted to work with the very talented Sarasota Young Voices group,” says Goldstein, adding that the group will perform “I Thank You God” alone, and then join Belle Canto in a special arrangement of “This Train,” a traditional American gospel song first recorded in 1925.
“This concert will offer a family-friendly mix of musical styles,” says Goldstein. “Its powerful poetry and upbeat music is a legacy of joy and dynamism that spans generations of creators, performers and audiences. Once you experience it, you can’t help but feel energized and joyful.”
Belle Canto, which means “beautiful singing,” was founded in 2009 by its artistic director Elizabeth Goldstein who is also the director of music and organist at First United Methodist Church in Sarasota. Twenty-two auditioned singers currently make up Belle Canto. Jonathan Spivey, principal keyboard for the Sarasota Orchestra, is the accompanist. For more information about Belle Canto, visit www.bellecanto.org or call 941-966-5904.
