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WVC November 2024 Newsletter

2024-2025 Season

Our much-anticipated winter concerts are nearly here!

The Chorale, under the direction of Ken Goodenberger, will be performing Francis Poulenc's GLORIA, plus lovely French Carols.

Click on the TICKET Button

to reserve your tickets.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thank you, Sanderson Lincoln, Setterberg Jewelers, and Royal Oaks, for supporting the West Valley Chorale.

We would like to invite other businesses and individuals to become West Valley Chorale sponsors. If you are interested, please contact Bob Walling, at bobwalling45@gmail.com.

Meet the Commissioned Arranger

for our Winter Concerts

Dana Graybeal is a Composer, Arranger, Pianist, Vocalist, Actor, Producer, Teacher, Musical Director, Conductor, Accompanist, and Cellist. He states, “Music is like a gigantic tree having enormous roots and having branches that reach up and out infinitely. No matter what you do in life, you can always explore those branches--the endless beauty and discovery of music.”

Click on the Read More button below to find out more about Dana Graybeal from the personal perspective of our very own Lynda Geames.

Background of Carols Arranged for West Valley Chorale

by Dana Graybeal

O Holy Night (Cantique de Noel) Placide Cappeau (1808-77) was a local wine merchant and poet from Raquemaure in southern France. The local clergy asked him to write a Christmas poem to celebrate the recent renovation of their church organ. He authored Minuit, chretiens in 1843. Adolphe Adam (1803-56) composed the accompanying music and 1847 saw its premier. Adam is known primarily for his opera and ballet of which Giselle (1841) is his best known.

Learn more about O Holy Night

by clicking the Read More button below.

The March of the Kings (La Marche des Rois) March of the Kings is a popular Christmas carol of Provençal origin celebrating the Epiphany. The origins of both the tune and the lyrics are uncertain. Some say it dates to the 13^th Century which would make it the first carol entirely composed in the vernacular. More likely, the lyrics are attributed to Abbe Joseph-François Domergue (1691-1728) from Avignon whose name appears on the first manuscript copy of the lyrics, dated 1742. The text was published in Paris in 1759.

Learn more about March of the Kings

by clicking the Read More button below.

Patapan Guillô, Pran Ton Tamborin is a French Burgundian Christmas carol written by Bernard de La Monnoye (pseudonym Gui Barozai) (1641–1728) and first published in 1721. He was a French lawyer, poet, scholar and critic. The carol tells the birth of Jesus from the perspective of shepherds who play simple instruments—flutes and drums. Even today local shepherds in rural French churches are given the place of honor at Christmas midnight mass. Guillo and Robin are stock characters who bring food to the manger and represent the village community.

Learn more about Patapan

by clicking the Read More button below.

We have two first-place winners this year. They are

Hailey Young and Autumn Stanley.

Hailey Young

First Place Winner

Hailey is a senior from Betty H Fairfax High School in Laveen, AZ. She has been a member of her school choir for three years. During her junior year, Hailey served as vice president of the choir. This year she is the choir president. In August 2024, Hailey began studying with a private voice teacher. Each year she has actively participated in both the "Greater Phoenix Honor Choir" and the "Regional Honor Choir." She has also participated in "All-State Honor Choir" and "All-State Show" for the past two years.

Autumn Stanley

First Place Winner

Autumn is a senior from Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, AZ. She has studied voice for the past ten years, participated in concert choir for eight years, and show choir for two years. She has won awards in the “Upscale Singers” and “MusicFest” vocal competitions. Last spring Autumn won Best Performer in a Musical for Boulder High School’s musical production. She also enjoys singing with her church worship band. Autumn has a passion for musical theatre which she has pursued throughout her life. She will continue this pursuit in college.

Our winners will be performing at our December and March concerts. We congratulate these young singers and are pleased to support their musical training.

Have you ever pictured yourself singing

with the West Valley Chorale?

Here is your opportunity!

Auditions

Auditions for our 2025 Spring Season Performances

Friday, January 3, 2025

Beginning at 10:00 A.M.

Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church

13658 W. Meeker Blvd.

Sun City West, AZ

for more information click on the Auditions button below.

Each month we feature two of our very own

West Valley Chorale singers.

Featured Singers for November

Carol Chesney - Soprano 2

Bob Walling - Tenor 1

Do you know which of these singers grew up

on a dairy farm and milked cows by hand?

Click the Read More button to find the answer.

West Valley Singers

December Concerts

Mark your calendar

West Valley Singers are available to perform

at your next event or for your organization.

To book West Valley Singers, please contact

Bob Walling 602-573-5942, or Ted Faszer 605-940-1576.

West Valley Chorale

OUR MISSION

The West Valley Chorale’s Mission is to provide a means for experienced choral singers to join together to present great choral literature, and to provide opportunities for the public to hear such choral works performed.

Attention Fry’s Shoppers!

You can easily give to West Valley Chorale every time you shop at Fry’s Food Stores. Once you link your Card to an organization (West Valley Chorale), all you have to do is shop at Fry’s and swipe your Shopper’s Card.

Click on the Fry's Community Rewards picture below for more information.

We always appreciate your contribution in support of music.

West Valley Chorale

PO Box 9415

Surprise, AZ, 85374