The Arizona Repertory Singers presents holiday music from around the world, featuring eight different languages and composers of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including “Eit barn er født i Bethlehem” by Norwegian composer Ørjan Matre, “Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil” by Irish composer David Mooney, and “Go Tell It On the Mountain” by African-American composer Evelyn Simpson Curenton.
With great excitement we are planning concerts in our regular venues this winter. Grace St. Paul’s | December 10, 7:30 p.m. Christ the King Episcopal | December 12, 7:30 p.m. St. Albans | December 17, 7:30 p.m. Christ Church United Methodist | December 19, 3:00 p.m. – CANCELLED
“Our Spring concert, I Can See the Light, celebrates resilience,” said ARS music director Ryan Phillips. “Our world is full of grief and loss right now. And, at the same time, life continues to also offer us the gifts of music and nature, love and hope. This is why we keep singing,” Phillips said, “to be reminded of the beauty of life and the solace of music.”
Explore the Flipping Book below to read the concert notes. Use the arrows to scroll through the pages.
In December 2020, Arizona Repertory Singers debuted an ambitious choral project. While Covid-19 limited community gatherings, ARS creatively persevered, finding modern and safe ways to keep singing and sharing music with the community.
“We are recreating the concert experience,” said ARS music director Ryan Phillips. The annual December concert premiered online December 11.
Months in the making, members of the choral ensemble rehearsed and recorded themselves in their own homes. Phillips spent weeks editing the video and audio recordings to create the online concert. Please enjoy our first virtual concert!
Explore the Flipping Book below to read the concert notes. Use the arrows to scroll through the pages. Watch the complete concert on the YouTube embedded video or select specific pieces using the links below.
Please join Arizona Repertory Singers online for our December virtual choir concert, “Home For The Holidays,” a collection of holiday favorites that ARS audiences have enjoyed through the years, along with a few new pieces with stunning and soothing harmonies.
“Even though we are not singing in the same space, ARS members are still serving Tucson by bringing beauty and solace through song to our community with our virtual choir performances,” says Music Director, Ryan Phillips. “The joy of music won’t be stopped.”
Here’s how it works:
Purchase your ticket here. Cost is $20 per household.
On December 11, check your email for a link to the concert.
Click on it anytime through December 31. You can scroll through the pages of the program which will include concert notes and videos of each piece.
Enjoy!
Watch it again as many times as you like through December 31!
ARS returns to its choral roots with traditional holiday repertoire and exciting arrangements to entice the ear. Hark! In 7/8 by Steven Landau and Bring Us In Good Ale by Gustav Holst will usher in your holiday alongside stunningly beautiful works by Francis Poulenc, John Rutter, Ola Gjeilo, and newcomer Connor Koppin.
Ryan Phillips speaks with Andy Bade on Arizona Public Media’s Extempore about Rejoice and Be Merry! and what to look forward to for our 2019-20 concert season.
“I loved the variety of beautiful selections.” “Uplifting, and I love the information the Music Director gave about each piece.” “Loved the gorgeous harmonies and interesting arrangements by ’new’ composers.” “The blend of the choir was awesome.”
Listen to two selections from the concert!
O Nata Lux by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585). Recorded at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on December 8, 2019. English Translation: O Light born of Light, Jesus, redeemer of the world, Mercifully deign to accept the praises and prayers of your suppliants. O you who once deigned to be hidden in flesh on behalf of the lost, Grant us to be made members of your blessed body. Rejoice and Be Merry by John Rutter (b. 1945). Recorded at Christ the King Episcopal Church on December 6, 2019.Rejoice and Be Merry by John Rutter (b. 1945). Recorded at Christ the King Episcopal Church on December 6, 2019.
7:30 p.m. Friday, December 6 Christ the King Episcopal Church 2800 W. Ina Road Please join us for a reception immediately following the concert.
3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8 Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 2331 E. Adams Street
7:30 p.m. Friday, December 13 St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road Please join us for a reception immediately following the concert.
4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15New Time! Christ Church United Methodist 655 N. Craycroft Road
