Author: gtbachchorale

Preparing a new season is like creating a business plan; it takes
meticulous thought and preparation. It means programming so
that the audience we are performing for is artistically and culturally
satisfied and yet within the organization, so that its members are
learning and developing.

The Georgetown Bach Chorale, like many other musical
organizations, tries to reinvent the wheel through traditional
means, with each season offering a fresh twist on the repertoire
that we present. Our following has begun to take for granted some
things that are not really ‘every day’ occurrences, like seeing two
harpsichords on a stage and hearing performances on Baroque
instruments. You are privileged to witness world-class musicians
play in your own back yard in intimate settings that might make
you feel like you are in an upscale mansion in Manhattan or an
historic cathedral from 400 years ago, and as an organization the
Georgetown Bach Chorale loves to present them!

Since its inception 15 years ago, The GBC has honed and developed
choral performances through familiar bonbons that everyone knows
and loves as well as expanding the ears and minds of its listeners.
Sometimes it is a risk to take on more esoteric works, but for us it is
well worth the struggle to get there.

This coming year I look forward to another exciting year of musicmaking, together with the support of you our local concert goers and from music lovers further afield. Come to hear, see and feel music made at its highest level.

Ron Greidanus

The Georgetown Bach Chorale gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their assistance:
Foodstuffs, Pat’s Prime Cuts and Deli, The Holland Shop and
Studio Fourteen Design Communications

There is nothing like time away to help rejuvenate the soul and the mind for continued excellence and vision. Having just returned from a highly motivational series of rehearsals and concerts in St. John’s, Newfoundland, both the choir and I are very excited to present to you this 14^th season with ‘new-found’ energy and drive. Halton Hills was well represented at the Festival with three of the 21 choirs: Gaudeamus Children`s Choir from Georgetown, Spurrel Studio Choir from Oakville, and the Georgetown Bach Chorale. This bodes well for the future of music in Halton Hills! Positive reinforcement from our supporters both near and far give us the impetus to offer classical music lovers and learners the marvellous, wonderful chorale and instrumental music which has been offered to us throughout the ages. As you will read in the Georgetown Bach Chorale’s 2013/14 concert brochure, some wonderful new repertoire will be offered this season, including Bach’s Magnificat and Part One of his Christmas Oratorio. Dutch-Canadian violinist Edwin Huizinga will return with his usual intensity and flair in Vivaldi’s Electric Four Seasons. Piano music of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, poetry of Edgar Allan Poe to Christmas in Manhattan, it doesn’t get better. Come and enjoy great music with great people!

Ron Greidanus

Since its inception, the Georgetown Bach Chorale has offered very innovative programming that is somewhat less traditional and presented in very distinctive ways. These musical presentations are not only observed through the music itself, but in the manner and locales in which the concerts take place.

The season begins with choristers stretching their wings, expanding themselves in dramatic roles in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. This year the Chorale’s period rendition of Handel’s Messiah will be taken on tour to the Town of Goderich, the City of Brampton, and once again to the wonderful architecture of St Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Producing a concert series requires the efforts of many creative artists and support personnel. Christmas at the house would not be complete without the decorating wizardry of Robert Hurst and the culinary wonder of Yvonne Oldaker.

It is a great pleasure to collaborate with friend of the Chorale, cellist Mary Katherine Finch, who has performed with us in various contexts since the GBC’s series began. Guest pianist, Matthew Pope, who will demonstrate his piano prowess in the music of Brahms and Chopin, is a student in Piano Performance at the University of Western Ontario. It is a teacher’s greatest reward to see one’s protégé following in his footsteps.

We look forward to sharing with you our wonderful season of music.

Ron Greidanus

Since its inception in 2000, The Georgetown Bach Chorale has been enthralling audiences in the Halton Hills area with outstanding choral concerts. The Chorale consists of approximately 20 singers devoted largely to the performance of Baroque music.

We are committed to musical excellence and are recognized by many acclaimed musicians as a very discerning group with outstanding authentic sound.

In October the Chorale again departs from its usual style to offer a jazz/pop concert accompanied by a beautifully prepared and served multi-course dinner.

November brings four performances of Handel’s Messiah for which this chorale is now well known.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without house concerts offering delicious food, opulent decorations, and of course, historic seasonal music.

Winter and spring bring a piano recital with hearty soups to follow; an a cappella presentation at the Croatian Church; and Mozart’s Requiem for our second appearance at the new Holy Cross Church.

Ron Greidanus

Now in its 12^th Season, the Georgetown Bach Chorale (GBC), under the direction of Ron Greidanus has become a highly focused organization offering polished performances that are driven with energy and of a quality that rivals that of many international performing ensembles. The GBC takes an historical approach to vocal sound production, interpretive nuance and instrumentation, and holds its concerts in venues that help bring out the drama and sublimity of the music.

Every year, the GBC strives to create a musical menu that will entice audiences to come back to hear more of our music. For the 2010-11 season, we have selected and combined some past favorites, some pieces new to our repertoire, some baroque, some 19^th century, even some Jazz to create a series of fresh and exciting concerts.

The Season will start with the return of our “Dinner & Music” event, offering a wonderful gourmet dinner accompanied this year by “jazzy” music.

The Season will conclude with the great Mass in b minor by J.S. Bach. We are very proud to be performing this masterpiece at the new Holy Cross Church.

Also on the Season’s menu will be music by Vivaldi, Charpentier, and Bruckner among others, and, of course, our traditional in-house Christmas concert.

The electrifying violinist Edwin Huizinga will be joining us for our in-house chamber music concert. Last year Edwin gave a thrilling performance of Vivaldi’s “Summer” at our “All Vivaldi” concert, and the February concert promises to be just as memorable.

So please, make plans to come and celebrate a year of music-making at its finest.

Ron Greidanus

Under the direction of Ron Greidanus, and conducted by him from the harpsichord, the Georgetown Bach Chorale offers a unique combination of choral, orchestral and solo works in a variety of settings. The group specializes in Baroque repertoire, performed with musicians playing period instruments but also explores music from other eras.

The 2009-2010 season offers five concerts. Two are held in a private home.

In anticipation of a trip to Austria in the winter of 2010 to perform Handel’s Messiah for audiences there the season includes two exciting and innovative fundraising events.

The Chorale embarks on its new season by hosting its first fundraiser event in October. The evening will combine a gourmet meal with marvelous music where guests will be both served and entertained by members of the choir.

The season continues with performances of Handel’s Messiah in the beautiful, byzantine-style St. Elias Ukranian Church in Brampton. The ever popular Christmas concert combines traditional music with readings that evoke the spirit of the season followed by a lavish reception – all in a beautifully decorated home. The choir returns to the Croatian Church in Norval, utilizing its impressive acoustics to sing music composed for performance in the ancient cathedrals of Europe. Beethoven and Chopin’s compositions are featured in the March Chamber Music concert and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons will be the highlight of the April concert.

To end the season in style, the second fundraiser event will be held in May. An exciting live auction of concerto movements will determine the program of the evening. Two fearless and accomplished pianists, Ron Greidanus and Kathryn Tremills will perform the winning bids from memory.

We look forward to having you join us!

The Chorale will repeat two concerts (Handel’s Messiah and Ecclesiastic Compositions) as part of the Caledon Concert Series in Caledon East.