Department of Music

• Friday, April 1, 2011

• Old Cabell Hall

• 8:00 p.m.

• Free

The UVa Chamber Singers invite you to a concert for April Fools’ Day on Friday, April 1, at 8:00 pm in Old Cabell Hall.  The program features a number of spoof pieces from the choral repertoire, including a healthy sampling of PDQ Bach, described as “the worst musician ever to have trod organ pedals” by the man who “discovered” his work, Professor Peter Schickele.  PDQ Bach’s The Seasonings, a send-up of Handel and Haydn oratorios, will offer the rousing chorus “Tarragon of virtue is full,” as well as moving duets like “Bide thy thyme.”  Don’t forget that great holiday favorite, “O Little Town of Hackensack.”  And the program also includes a few bawdy canons (by PDQ and Purcell), Paul Carey’s “Mashed Potato/Love Song,” the musicians’ Youtube favorites, and a few extra audience surprises. 

Founded in 2005 and led by UVa faculty conductor Michael Slon, the UVa Chamber Singers is a select ensemble drawn from the University Singers, and performs a wide variety of music for chamber choir ranging from early music to contemporary compositions.  Recent performances have included Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia, the Monteverdi Mass for 4 voices, Bach’s Mass in B minor with the University Singers, Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, standards by Harold Arlen and Jerome Kern, and new music by Meredith Monk (with the Meredith Monk Vocal Ensemble) and Eric Whitacre.  In 2010, the Chamber Singers made their first appearances at the Staunton Music Festival, including a performance with Grammy-award winning baritone Kevin McMillan.  More recently, they participated in a workshop with Bang on a Can composer Michael Gordon during the group’s UVa Arts Board Residency.

In the spirit of the April 1 concert, it should be added that members of the group enjoy opera, bowling, Tolstoy, competitive origami, and singing in three keys at once.  The director, noted for his extra appearance in Evan Almighty – as well as his prior golden glove play at shortstop in the Shoshone Little League – also likes to write books.  Currently, he is #3,943,544 on the Amazon best-seller list. 

The concert takes place at Old Cabell Hall at UVa, and is free to the public.  Free parking is available in the C1 lot off McCormick Rd, and the K2 lot behind South Lawn.  Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to Bryan Hall.  For further parking information please call (434) 924-3984.  

For more information visit us online:
https://music.virginia.edu/chamber-singers
www.virginia.edu/music/usingers
www.virginia.edu/music