Billy Orton, Artistic Director

WELCOME TO THE NEW SEASON!

The season ahead for the Huntsville Community Chorus Association promises to be an extraordinarily wonderful one. The Chorus has a mission to provide the best in choral music to our region. Our Symphonic Chorus, Chamber Chorale, Youth Chorale, and Children’s Chorale all possess a sound and spirit that are truly captivating. Please take a look at a few of the highlights in store for you in the HCCA Season 2018-2019—

A season-opening concert entitled Stars Fell on Alabama, featuring our Symphonic Chorus, our Chamber Chorale and our Youth Chorale in a delightful presentation of great songs from stage and screen. You will hear music you have loved for years as well as selections sure to become new favorites! This concert will be on Saturday, September 8 at Randolph School’s Thurber Arts Center.

Our annual Christmas concert is earlier than usual as we open the city’s holiday season on Thursday, November 8 with an incredible masterwork by Ralph Vaughan Williams, his HODIE (This Day). This thrilling Christmas piece will be presented in the beautiful sanctuary of First Baptist Church and will feature our Symphonic Chorus and Children’s Chorale alongside professional guest soloists, and in collaboration with the FBC Orchestra and the FBC Sanctuary Choir. A unique presentation on a unique night! (Please note that this concert is presented as a Season Bonus, and is FREE to the public.)

The HCC Chamber Chorale and Youth Chorale will collaborate in Here Comes the Sun on Sunday, February 24, at 3 PM in the friendly acoustic of First United Methodist Church in downtown Huntsville. The exquisite sound of each of these two select choral groups will help to communicate the wondrous texts and music prepared for that afternoon.

At our Spring Concert, To the Moon and Back, the singers of all HCCA choral groups will be joined by the Huntsville Youth Orchestra as we help our “Rocket City” celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing! This special Matinee presentation at First Baptist Church will be aided visually by the striking images of “sun, moon, and stars” imbedded in the famous stained glass windows of FBC. The concert will include a new selection commissioned by HCCA and commemorating the moon landing anniversary.

The Huntsville Community Chorus Association continues to be a vital artistic force in our city and region. Our organization is filled with great talent and breadth reflecting the considerable skill, intelligence, and creativity of North Alabama itself. We love this community and give ourselves to serving it with great passion and artistry.

And now, an important announcement from me--

This season ahead will be my final season as Artistic Director of HCCA. Many of you have been aware that I have been tentatively planning toward this for several years. My desire has been to finish up with HCCA responsibilities before I move closer to retirement as Minister of Music and Worship at First Baptist. I still plan to have a few years there without the extra demands presented by Chorus duties

It has been both a privilege and a joy to have served with HCCA since 2002. We have accomplished so much together and have had extraordinary impact upon our city and region....our COMMUNITY....in myriad ways. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the love.

I am so pleased that Ian Loeppky will be our next Artistic Director. He came aboard HCCA a year ago and has walked alongside me in shaping and leading who we are and what we do. He is a great friend and a trusted colleague. And, it pleases me that YOU love him, too. You have already sensed that he will take us to great heights in years ahead. I know you will be supportive of his remarkable vision and outstanding leadership. I am grateful he is with us!

 

It is nearly impossible to adequately communicate my growing sense of anticipation for the season ahead. I hope that you can be involved to the fullest as our Chorus brings to life the plans described above. Save the dates now! Plan to help us start strong and finish stronger.

I look forward to our July 30 rehearsal kickoff, our September 8 concert of stage and screen greats, our November 8 presentation of a rare and celebrative masterwork, our February 16 collaboration on the genius of Mozart, and our April 6 matinee that is perfect for a "Rocket City."

With great love and expectancy,

Billy Orton