The festive evening of holiday music also marked the official début of Marie Bucoy Calavan as artistic director of The Choral Arts Society of Washington.
by Patrick D. McCoy
Last year around this time when Choral Arts was in the midst of the search for its new musical leader, Marie Bucoy Calavan conducted what was at that time her ‘audition’ for the coveted musical appointment. As Choral Arts marked its 44th Annual Holiday Gala and Concert, Calavan returned officially to conduct the hallmark event officially as its new artistic director. Each year, The Choral Arts Society of Washington partners with an embassy as its cultural partner. This year, it was the Embassy of Estonia. His Excellency Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States and Liis Prikk were both in attendance. It was noted that the ambassador was a great lover of choral music and his enthusiasm was noted both during the concert and the gala event that followed.
The festive evening of music under Calavan’s leadership lent itself to community involvement with the occasional opportunities for the audience to join in the singing of the familiar carols. Opening the concert was the carol “O Come All Ye Faithful.” In a brilliant arrangement by Mack Wilberg, the tenors and basses of the choir began a cappella, greeted at the end of the phrase by the warmth of the orchestral strings. The carol continued to swell with the entrance of the sopranos and altos joined by the full organ. It was a festive opening to what proved to be a special evening of music.
A theme of community was felt throughout in Calavan’s remarks. That was continued in the audience participation in the singing of carols “Joy to the World” and “Away in the Manger” arranged by Steven Amundson. Then, there were those moments that made you feel as if you were basking in front of a cozy fireplace with family, especially in “I’m Dreaming of Home by Philip Rombi. The sweetly sung soprano by Katie Chambers made one think of the preciousness of being surrounded by family and the safety of home.
It was wonderful how Calavan programmed the concert to include a myriad of ways to involve the feeling of connection. Often, when an orchestra is engaged for a choral program, it simply accompanies the selected major work. In this instance, Calavan skillfully led the orchestra in pieces that independently showcased their artistry. The “Miracle on 34th Street Concert Suite” by Bruce Broughton brought back moments of cinematic nostalgia, while the spirited “Farandole” had the audience tapping and bobbing along.
As a nod to the partnership with the Estonian Embassy, the chorus offered a touching “Estonian Lullaby” by Arvo Pärt and the traditional song “Püha öö.” Both pieces allowed the audience to hear the pure, unadorned voices without instrumental accompaniment. The beloved “Silent Night” was an extension of the feeling of the community as Shirley Scribner, the wife of Choral Arts founder Norman Scribner served as the torch bearer. The arrangement of the carol by Dan Forrest was an elegant tour de force for the graceful dancer Ace Avery as she danced the holiday spirit through the hall as the room filled with candlelight. A delightful journey through the holidays came in the panache of NPR host Steve Inskeep who read a well-paced narration for “The Night Before Christmas” by Randal Alan Bass. Another moment that brought forth the joyous memories of the holidays was “When We’re Together” arranged by Mickey McGroarty with soloists Heather MacDonald and Kathryn Fernandez.
Ending the evening was the moving setting by Gary Fry of “O Holy Night” which was the perfect punctuation to a divine evening of music for the season.
A native of Petersburg, VA, Patrick holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Virginia State University and a MM in Church Music from Shenandoah Conservatory. Formerly the Performing Arts Columnist for Washington Life Magazine, he currently is a freelance writer, publishing articles for several noted publications and organizations, including The Washington Post, Early Music America, Classical Music Voice North America, The Afro-American Newspaper, Prince George’s Suite Magazine, CBS Washington, Examiner.com and Washington Classical Review. He holds membership in the Music Critics Association of North America, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., American Choral Directors’ Association, Association of Anglican Musicians, a former member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors, a member of the Shenandoah University Black Alumni Network, a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a member of the Sigma Zeta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. As an alumnus of Shenandoah, he was named to the Dean’s Circle of the Shenandoah Conservatory Advisory Board. He enters his 7th year as Organist/Choirmaster at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Zion Parish in Beltsville, MD. Patrick is the host of “Across the Arts” both a live and virtual media platform covering the performing arts. Visit http://patrickdmccoy.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter @PatrickDMcCoy, IG: PDM06. and subscribe to “Across the Arts” on YouTube.