Ryan Phillips, M.M.
The 40th anniversary of the Arizona Repertory Singers is upon us. I continue to be proud of leading such joyous and imaginative singers. This 2023-24 season has brought a rejuvenated energy into our rehearsals, one that has facilitated faster learning and deeper musical understanding within each singer.
The repertoire for this Winter concert was specifically chosen as pieces that hold the most value for ARS and our audiences. Forty years of collected repertoire is an accomplishment in itself, and it is our goal to show you the best! Some of our current singers have rehearsed many of these pieces through the years, and some have encountered this music for the very first time. In our Winter concert, you will hear the luscious harmonies of Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, the joyous polyphony in Sweelinck’s Hodie Christus Natus Est, and be ‘invited to a party’ in Abreme la Puerta by Cristian Grases. Every piece in the program demonstrates who we are as an ensemble and holds a special place in our hearts. All of our repertoire this year is about “Celebrating our Choral Legacy,” and we are honored to share the celebration with you during our concert.
Much has gone into the preparation of our holiday performances during this special anniversary season, and I would like to take a moment to offer my sincere gratitude for everyone on our board, various committees, and our singers for their tireless work and energy. Since we began preparations for the 2023-24 season, everyone involved has shown what ARS truly means to them, and I am humbled by their meaningful work. I hope you enjoy our performance and that the Arizona Repertory Singers inspires you as you celebrate this holiday season.