Award Winning AUSTIN CIVIC CHORUS

AUSTIN VOCAL ARTS ENSEMBLE

R e f l e c t i o n s

47th Season

July 7, 2011

Austin Civic Chorus Finalist for The American Prize from Chorus America
The Austin Civic Chorus is a finalist for The American Prize for 2011. The 120-voice symphonic ensemble of Chorus Austin is one of 10 finalists selected from across the country in the category of choral performance: community or faith-based chorus. The group was recognized for its May 22, 2010, Austin performance featuring LuigiCherubini’s Requiem in C minor; Kaddish for a Young Artist by Ohio composer Loris O. Chobanian; and the premiere of a choral setting of El Moley Rachamim, arranged specifically for the choir by Chorus Austin Artistic Director and Conductor Ryan Heller.

“We are honored to be selected as a finalists for this prestigious award,” Heller said. “For nearly 50 y

ears Austin Civic Chorus has presented the best of choral music in live performancesfor audiences in Austin and Central Texas.”

The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit, national competitions designed to recognize and reward excellence in the performing arts in the United States – in schools and churches, and at community and professional levels. The American Prize provides evaluation, recognition and reward to America’s finest performing artists, ensembles and composers annually.

David Katz is chief judge of The American Prize. Professional conductor, award-winningcomposer, playwright, actor and arts advocate, Katz was founder and for 12 years chief judge ofthe Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice international competition. JoiningKatz is a panel of judges representing every region of the country, including professional, community and faith-based musicians and educators, selected for their interest and expertise.

The American Prize is administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profitperforming arts organization based in Danbury, CT. Winners are announced throughout thesummer. More information is available at www.theamericanprize.org

Welcome to

‘Reflections”.

There is a transforming power to great choral music that we want to share with you as our season unfolds.

We begin with a rarely heard jewel – Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, written in 1863 and ‘the last’, the composer called it, ‘or my sins of old age.” Austin Vocal Art Ensemble foolows with its fall performance, “Heart’s Harvest,” celebrating American choral music. In December comes the popular Sing-It-Yourself Messiah and “On a Winter’s Eve” holiday program featuring an audience sing-along.

In the spring AVAE offers “In Remembrance,” a concert of songs that is part of Austin’s ‘Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project.” In grand manner, our season closes with Chorus Austin’s combined voices presenting Bach’s monumental Mass in B minor.

This season is one reflecting both grandeur and intimacy in choral music. – one not to be missed. We look forward to seeing you and continuing to build our Austin community through great music.

Ryan Heller

Artistic Director and Conductor

Visit our season page for dates, times and venues.