Easton Choral Arts Society Welcomes Fall with A Singable Feast

Prepare to be entertained. As the seasons change, Easton Choral Arts Society will present its fall concert, “A Singable Feast,” on Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 20 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton. From appetizers and ale to cakes and coffee, this concert will leave patrons hungry, with songs about food from the classics, Broadway and jazz. Featured will be the hilarious PDQ Bach work, The Seasonings, written by Peter Schickele.

According to Penny Hall of Easton Choral Arts Society, The Seasonings, a satirical rendition of Haydn’s oratorio The Seasons is an audience favorite. The four seasons of Haydn’s work are now replaced by seasonings such as tarragon, leeks, sesame, and curry and incorporated into a story about the search for the perfect ingredients for a recipe. The result is a tasty smorgasbord!

In The Seasonings, the chorus is accompanied by an orchestra. Schickele is internationally recognized as one of the most versatile artists in the field of music creating four feature films. The additions of Jacque Offenbach’s, The Recipe may entice patrons to bake a cake, while Coffee in a Cardboard Cup, by the composers of Cabaret, will tickle the funny bone. The concert’s repertoire also includes works by Paul Carey, John Rutter, Allen R. Petker, Greg Gilpin, Kirby Shaw, and Sigmund Romberg.

The Easton Choral Arts Society, under the direction of Maestro Wes Lockfaw, will present its fall concert, “A Singable Feast,” on Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 20 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Tickets will be $30 at the door and are available online in advance at $25 at www.eastonchoralarts.org or at Ticket Hotline 410-200-0498 or by emailing eastonchoralarts@gmail.com. Students will be admitted free (reservation required). Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchases are recommended. Auditions for Easton Choral Arts Society are ongoing and people can get more information on the website eastonchoralarts.org.

ECAS was founded in 1977 by organist Florence Ruley of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a group of caring singers was organized to commemorate the installation of a new bishop. The experience was so rewarding that they continued with the idea of singing two to three concerts a year. As public appreciation and awareness of the Easton Choral Arts Society was growing within the community, its presence was marked by a new and thoughtful broadening of the repertoire, featuring guest soloists, and professional instrumentalists.

In 2010, Wes Lockfaw became Easton Choral Arts Society’s fifth Artistic Director. A very talented and accomplished organist, pianist, and choral director, Wes has led music ministries in seven states as well as having served as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and piano instructor in a college environment. In January of 2009, he accepted the position of Organist and Music Director at Christ Church Episcopal in Easton, Maryland where he directs ensembles ranging from children to adults.

Thanks to community support, Easton Choral Arts is keeping the spirit of its mission alive — to promote appreciation of fine choral singing, encourage excellence in vocal performance, further musical education and provide personal opportunities for artistic expression.