Director's Thoughts:
Welcome to another year of splendid music by the Western Colorado Chorale. As arts organizations continue to rebuild and blossom after the pandemic, the Chorale is enjoying unprecedented growth. Numerous fine singers have auditioned into the ensemble, and the Chorale continues to grow in size and scope.
It is my deep honor to continue as the Music Director of the Chorale for one more year, this 38th concert season since I was privileged to found the group in 1985. I could not have imagined at that time what the Chorale would have grown into today. In addition to the excellent musicians in the Chorale, this marked development now includes the new Associate Music Director position, our new Chorale Endowment, and newly formalized continued support which provides outstanding rehearsal and performance venues. And, we are now formally part of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO), a marvelous step forward in joining forces for great music in Western Colorado.
With such wonderful growth musically and organizationally, it was easy to envision a glorious year of Chorale music for you, our treasured patrons. Music has been chosen for each concert to capture the essence of joy, hence our 2023-2024 Concert Season title. I wanted to share the spotlight in my final year, so the Chorale is pleased to present multiple guest artists and conductors this season:
- Dr. Dirk Johnson, the new Director of Vocal Ensembles at CMU, will be conducting our opening concert -a fun program of music from movies. This concert will feature several soloists from the Chorale and the GJSO. You don’t want to miss this one!
- Mr. Stan Scott, the Associate Music Director of the Chorale, will be conducting the popular holiday concert. Guest artists for this concert include the Charisma Chorus Children’s Choir. Get your tickets early! We are also taking the Holiday Concert “on the road” to the historic Egyptian Theatre in Delta.
- The Masterworks Concert will feature our first annual CMU Vocal Showcase, “showcasing” a top CMU choral student, who will be guest-conducting the Chorale, and a top CMU vocal student, who will be soloing with the Chorale. These two students were selected by CMU music faculty. The concert also features several soloists from the Chorale and musicians from the GJSO. My final concert will be one to remember.
Thank you, audience friends, for joining us this season as we share this beautiful music with you.
Thank you, Chorale! Thank you to Chorale president, Cassa Fox, all past presidents and the numerous Chorale leaders who so willingly give their time and expertise to sustain this community treasure. Thank you, Misty, for your dedication and amazing artistry. Thank you, CMU and GJSO colleagues, for your incredible support. And finally, I thank my dear wife, Gail and our children, long grown, for sharing me with the Chorale these past decades.
I look forward to being in the audience and on the podium for this joyous Chorale Season.
Dr. Monte Atkinson, Founder and Music Director