SARASOTA, FL, July 12, 2022 – Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, under the baton of Artistic Director Joseph Caulkins, announces Season 38. Sure to be a crowd pleaser full of dynamic collaborations with The Sarasota Ballet, The Venice Symphony, The Circus Arts Conservatory, Artist Series Concerts, and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, they will also feature masterworks by Vaughan Williams, Verdi, Mozart, Faure, Whitacre and more.
The Chorale will once again present their signature one-of-a-kind programming including a jiggy Celtic Celebration featuring Foley’s All-Star Irish Band, their annual Ballet collaboration exploring both the mystical and the royal, and a new American Roots show featuring the ear-pleasing harmonies of Crosby Stills & Nash, plus a spectacular season finale, Grace The Spirit of Aretha with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. This high energy celebration of the “Queen of Soul” includes songs from the 1973 Grammy Award-Winning album Amazing Grace and her most famous R&B classics.
Season 38, concerts at a glance:
September 24 – Equinox: A Celtic Celebration featuring Foley’s All-Star Irish Band
October 2 – Magnificent Markovs – Artist Series Concerts Collaboration
November 27 – Mystics & Kings, with The Sarasota Ballet’s Studio Company and Trainees
December 16 & 17 – A Holiday Season Spectacular with the Venice Symphony
January 21 & 22 – Miniature Masterpieces
February 3 & 4 – Cinematic Romance, collaboration with The Venice Symphony
February 10 & 11 – A Sea Symphony, Masterwork by Vaughan Williams
March 10-12 – Cirque des Voix® with The Circus Arts Conservatory
April 22 & 23 – American Roots: CSN Crosby, Stills & Nash Folk Rock featuring The Lubben Brothers
May 8 – Grace The Spirit of Aretha with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
May 15 – Tomorrow’s Voices Today, High School Choral Festival
“This is a season full of adventure,” said Maestro Caulkins. “It is an opportunity to experience choral music in ways you might not expect as we explore Carnatic music from India, perform a rarely heard work by one of America’s greatest female black composers, enjoy some epic masterworks, and even hum along with some of your favorite folk rock classics of Crosby Stills & Nash.”
The season kicks off on September 24 with “Equinox: A Celtic Celebration.” Tenor Brad Diamond joins Foley’s All-Star Irish Band and Key Chorale performing jigs, reels, folk songs, and choral music inspired by the Emerald Isle.
Sunday, October 2 Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Booker High VPA Choir will collaborate with the Artist Series Concerts for a truly unique program. Violin phenom Alexander Markov will present classical favorites, followed by his original composition Caesar, for electric violin, organ, choir, percussion, rhythm section and orchestral musicians.
On November 27 Key Chorale, violinist Daniel Jordan, sitarist Kanada Narahari, and The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and Trainees will take you on an unforgettable journey of the senses. Works by James Whitbourn and Jake Runestad incorporate texts of luminaries and mystics laced with Indian soundscapes, invoking musical settings which are radiant, peaceful and luminous. Black composer Margaret Bonds’ rarely heard 1954 cantata The Ballad of the Brown King, sets texts by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes in styles of classical, jazz, gospel and calypso to tell the story of the journey to Bethlehem through the eyes of Balthazar, the dark-skinned king.
Key Chorale joins Music Director Troy Quinn and The Venice Symphony for three performances of “A Holiday Season Spectacular” December 16-17. This festive concert includes classic carols, music from the films A Nightmare Before Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas and timeless works from The Nutcracker Suite and Babes in Toyland.
With pieces that pack a punch, “Miniature Masterpieces,” January 21 and 22, Maestro Caulkins will lead an interactive exploration of choral miniature masterpieces – all 8 minutes or less. Learn what makes these works masterpieces and enjoy transcendent performances by the Chamber Singers. Works by Verdi, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams, Hogan, Whitacre and more.
On February 3 and 4.” Key Chorale Women’s Ensemble joins Music Director Troy Quinn and The Venice Symphony for a romantic inspired concert. Fall in love all over again with music from Casablanca, Romeo and Juliet and Gone with the Wind. Superstar violinist Sandy Cameron will perform Danny Elfman’s Edward Scissorhands Suite showcasing the lush harmonic tones of the women of Key Chorale.
Chorus, orchestra and soloists join together on February 10 and 11 for “A Sea Symphony” Masterwork by Vaughan Williams. This large-scale symphony was one of the first to incorporate choir throughout the work and is considered one of the mightiest first symphonies ever composed. Baritone Jamal Sarikoki and soprano Suzanne Karpov add their stunning virtuosity to this epic masterwork.
There will be a special presentation and conversation before each concert with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium as they discuss their groundbreaking research of the sea.
March 10, 11 and 12 marks the 12th year of “Cirque des Voix®”, Circus of the Voices presented with the Circus Arts Conservatory. This year’s show will be a unique fusion of the circus and musical arts in a performance unlike any other. See world-class circus artists combined with the 100+ voices of Key Chorale and the musical mastery of the 40-piece Cirque Orchestra in their biggest and boldest production yet.
“American Roots: CSN” happens on April 22 and 23 with Key Chorale welcoming back The Lubben Brothers, an acoustic folk group made up of triplet brothers Michael, Tom, and Joshua, to re-create and re-imagine the music of the folk-rock genre. Key Chorale Chamber Singers explore the 30-year discography of the folk-rock group Crosby, Stills & Nash, and other artists known for their intricate vocal harmonies and timeless melodies.
On May 8, “Grace The Spirit of Aretha,” together with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to honor the “Queen of Soul” on the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking Grammy Award-Winning album Amazing Grace. Be swept away by soulful gospel songs and Aretha Franklin’s most famous R&B classics. One night only featuring the high energy sizzle of WBBT and the thrilling harmonies of Key Chorale.
The season concludes in May as Key Chorale celebrates the power of choral music through an inspired performance by more than 200 singers of all ages, from high school students to seniors. In its 8th year, this intergenerational choral festival has inspired countless high school students by encouraging music making at the highest level. Hear the very best repertoire of the season from North Port, Pine View, and Venice High School choirs performing separately and alongside Key Chorale.
In support of education and community outreach, Key Chorale will hold their annual Perfect Pitch luncheon on November 7, at 11:30 AM at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Enjoy performances by Key Chorale’s Chamber Singers and the 2022/23 Student Scholars, special guest performance by Daniel Jordan, Concertmaster of the Sarasota Orchestra and Key Chorale, and the students of Visible Men Academy. Opportunities will also be available to learn more about the music and mission of Key Chorale and to sponsor a Student Scholar for the season. On February 20th, the Key Chorale’s Student Scholars will showcase solos and group numbers at the Annual Student Scholar Soirée and Recital.
Beyond this full season of musical presentations, Key Chorale is involved in the community through their outreach groups “Off-Key Chorale”, for those living with Parkinson’s, and “Where Are My Keys? Chorale for those dealing with memory loss. “Off-Key Chorale” is a partnership with Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, and “Where Are My Keys? Chorale partners with Senior Friendship Center and JFCS of the Suncoast. With fall and spring sessions, Maestro Caulkins creates a unique curriculum of vocal exercises, breathing exercises, and musical selections around a theme which concludes with an end of session performance for friends and family.