| November 11, 2004
Section: CALIENTE Page: F40 Cathalena E. Burch, ARIZONA DAILY STAR |
| It's introducing itself this weekend with two concerts to commemorate Veterans Day. Founder Eric Holtan hopes they will be the first of many concerts from the ensemble, which comprises University of Arizona music students and teachers from Tucson public schools. "Eventually, we hope to become a truly professional group, where everyone is compensated," said Holtan, 33, who will earn his graduate degree in choral and orchestral conducting from the UA in December. "But we just started." Holtan, who is assistant director of the fledgling Tucson Symphony Orchestra chorus and director of choirs at Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, is confident his ensemble can thrive among the city's varied fine-arts organizations. "I think the Tucson arts community is growing as our city grows, and the expectations for quality music are growing," he said. If it flies, Tucson Chamber Artists would be the city's first unaffiliated professional chorus. At this weekend's concerts, 22 singers will perform, accompanied by eight musicians. The program includes Thomas Weelkes' "When David Heard (O my son, Absalom)"; Brahms' Begräbnisgesang; Bach's funeral ode "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit"; and Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge." Tucson Chamber Artists will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd.; and 2 p.m. Sunday at Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, 665 W. Roller Coaster Road. Admission is free, but a goodwill offering will be taken to benefit Tucson's disabled veterans and widowed families of veterans. During the concerts, the names of Tucson's soldiers lost in the Iraq war will be read, and local veterans of all wars will be recognized. For more information, call 370-8016. Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@azstarnet.com or 573-4642. |
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Copyright 2004 The Arizona Daily Star |