FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 18, 2021
[TUCSON, AZ]—The Arizona Repertory Singers will once again offer live choral concerts this December.
“It’s soul stirring for us to sing together in person again,” said ARS music director Ryan Phillips. “That spirit is going to shine through our holiday concert.”
The title, “Sim Shalom, Grant Peace,” takes its name from a Hebrew prayer, set to music com-posed by Jennaya Robison. Hebrew will be one of seven different languages sung during the con-cert.
“We are singing in Hebrew, Norwegian, Spanish, Irish, Latin, English, and will end with a really fun and uplifting song from South Africa,” Phillips said.
“Even if you don’t understand all the languages, music is our common language. These songs embody a feeling of serenity and celebration that is perfect for this time of year.”
The 40-member ensemble will be accompanied by Woan Ching Lim on piano along with a harpist, string players, and percussionists.
Audiences will hear early contemplative music of the Renaissance to 20th century composers such as Benjamin Britten. Selections will include, “Eit barn er født i Bethlehem” by Norwegian composer Ørjan Matre, “Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil” by Irish Composer David Mooney, and two renditions back to back of “Quem vidistis, pastores,” one arranged in the 16th century and the other in the 20th century by French composer, Francis Poulenc.
“It will be the same text, but different compositional styles 400 years apart,” Phillips said.
The Arizona Repertory Singers offered its 2020 winter concert and 2021 spring concert virtually. Singing remotely gave the ensemble some gifts, Phillips said. They gained new members and learned new ways to practice.
“We have ten new members singing with us this season. Some joined the virtual choir and stuck around in person. Others saw the virtual performances and wanted to join,” Phillips said.
This fall, Phillips made digital practice tracks for some of the more difficult music, so members could listen and practice at home.
“That’s something that we all learned to do and use when we were singing virtually,” Phillips said.
To safely practice together this fall, choral members are rehearsing outside in a member’s backyard.
“At the first in-person rehearsal in September it was a big sigh of relief,” Phillips said. “It was wonderful, even rehearsing in the dark with swarms of bugs.”
“Everyone has neck lights that wrap around your neck and illuminate the music. Everyone brings their chairs and bug spray, it’s like choir camping. We set up an electric keyboard and watch the sun setting as we sing. It’s so good to be back and hear people in person, not singing over a vid-eo. I love it. I’m so glad we are back.”
Dates and Venues for “Sim Shalom, Grant Peace,”
Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams Street, Tucson AZ 85719
December 10, 7:30 p.m.
Christ the King Episcopal Church, 2800 W. Ina Road, Tucson AZ 85741
December 12, 7:30 p.m.
St. Albans Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson AZ 85750
December 17, 7:30 p.m.
Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson AZ 85711
December 19, 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are $18 online at arsingers.org or $20 at the door. Group tickets are $15 for 10 or more attendees. Students are free.
Arizona Repertory Singers public health plans for the December 2021 concerts include: All ARS singers and staff are vaccinated. Audience members must be vaccinated and wear masks. Ticket sales will be limited to half the seating capacity for each venue and seating will be socially dis-tanced.
The Arizona Repertory Singers is an auditioned ensemble of singers from greater Tucson. Since 1984 this choir has developed an extensive repertory and prides itself on presenting high quality performances of the standard repertoire and new music. Our community of singers, selected through a rigorous audition process, represent a variety of work life careers in business, educa-tion, engineering, information technology, law, medicine, social service, science, and the arts.