What's Happening in Colchester, VT…

Two concerts coming up in Colchester will celebrate the holidays with sacred music.

The Bella Voce Woman’s Chorus is now celebrating its 20th anniversary with two arrangements of the “Gloria” Antonio Vivaldi. The classic work features women’s voices accompanied by continuo, strings, oboe, and trumpet. The “Gloria” is a composition based on the hymn “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” which is part of the Mass. Vivaldi wrote at least three versions of the work, but only two have survived.

The University of Vermont’s String Ensemble will join Bella Voce for these performances. The ensemble, directed by Dr. Yutaka Kono, will offer their own selections as well as accompanying the “Gloria.” In addition, seasonal songs by Randol Bass, Dan Forrest, Robert De Cormier, and others will be part of the celebration.

Dr. Dawn Willis founded Bella Voce in 2004. The members, who must audition, come from five counties in northwest Vermont. Some simply enjoy singing, but others are music education majors, church ensemble directors or music educators.

The group presents two major concerts annually, as well as additional performances throughout the community. It has also commissioned new works written especially for women’s voices, made recordings, and toured nationally and internationally

The concerts are scheduled for December 7 at 7.30 pm, and December 8 at 3.00 pm, at the McCarthy Arts Center Recital Hall. Since audiences enjoy having souvenirs of performances like this, organizers may work with printers who use brochure printing to create programs.