The Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale is an auditioned chorus of more than 100 singer volunteers, which has provided the greater Boise area with choral master works since 1975. The inaugural concert that year was a performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, and this season will offer performances of Messiah, Brahms’ German Requiem, and Mahler’s Symphony #2. In 2009 the members of the Chorale were thrilled to begin work with Maestro Robert Franz in performances of The Passion of Joan of Arc by Richard Einhorn.
In addition to performing with the Philharmonic, the Chorale has also collaborated with other area arts groups including the Boise Baroque Orchestra, Ballet Idaho, Idaho Dance Theatre, Opera Idaho Children’s Chorus, Treasure Valley Concert Band, Boise State University Symphonic Orchestra, as well as other area choruses. The Chorale has performed numerous times for Boise Music Week and has invited area high school singers to participate as part of an educational outreach effort.
The Chorale is led by Dr. James Jirak, who is beginning his fifteenth year as Artistic Director of the ensemble. The ensemble rehearses on Monday evenings from 7:00 until 9:00 at the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy.
Recently the Chorale has commissioned two new multi-movement works for choir and orchestra. The first was composed by Vijay Singh for the Lewis and Clark Bi-Centennial. Entitled Sons of the West, the text uses excerpts from the diaries of expedition members while they traveled through present-day Idaho. The second commission went to Paul Aitken who composed a five movement work entitled And None Shall be Afraid using peace prayers from Jewish, Native American, Muslim, Christian, and ancient Chinese sources. This work had a New York premiere in Carnegie Hall last summer.
The next concert appearance of the Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale will be November 11th and 13th where the Chorale will perform Mozart’s Great C Minor Mass and Bach’s Cantata Wachet Auf, with the Boise Baroque Orchestra.
Auditions for the Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale are held each August. The Chorale is interested in adding experienced singers who have good tone, pitch, diction, rhythm, and music-reading skills. If you are interested in auditioning for the Chorale, you may call 854-7829 to schedule. Singers are required to bring a prepared solo. At this time sopranos should expect to be placed on a waiting list, but there are openings in the alto, tenor, and bass sections. Come join us!
For more information on the Boise Master Chorale find their website at www.boisemasterchorale.net.
BOISE PHILHARMONIC MASTER CHORALE
2011-2012 SEASON CALENDAR
November 11th, 2011
7:30pm
Jewett Auditorium, College of Idaho
Caldwell, Idaho
Mass in C Minor, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Cantata, BWV 140, Johann Sebastian Bach
with the Boise Baroque Orchestra
For more information, prices, or where to purchase tickets, click here.
November 13th, 2011
2:00pm
First United Methodist Church
Cathedral of the Rockies
Mass in C Minor, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Cantata, BWV 140, Johann Sebastian Bach
with the Boise Baroque Orchestra
For more information, prices, or where to purchase tickets, click here.
December 17th, 2011
7:30pm
Morrison Center
Boise, Idaho
Messiah, George Frideric Handel
To purchase tickets, click here.
December 18th, 2011
2:00pm
Morrison Center
Boise, Idaho
Messiah, George Frideric Handel
To purchase tickets, click here.
March 23rd, 2012
8:00pm
NNU's Swayne Auditorium
Nampa, Idaho
German Requiem, Johannes Brahms
To purchase tickets, click here.
March 24th, 2012
8:00pm
Morrison Center
Boise, Idaho
German Requiem, Johannes Brahms
To purchase tickets, click here.
May 5th, 2012
8:00pm
Morrison Center
Boise, Idaho
Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection", Gustav Mahler
To purchase tickets, click here.
May 6th, 2012
2:00pm
Morrison Center
Boise, Idaho
Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection", Gustav Mahler
To purchase tickets, click here.
Dr. James Jirak - Artistic Director
Click here for Dr. Jirak's bio