Monday, March 25, 2013



Oklahoma City University and the Canterbury Choral Society Premier Leonard Bernstein's Mass in Oklahoma City

April 13, 2013 at 8 pm @ the Civic Center Music Hall
 

Come share in the experience of a lifetime, as Canterbury Choral Society and Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music premiere Leonard Bernstein’s MASS on April 13, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Music Hall.  Tickets may be purchased now through April 12, 2012 by calling 232-SING. Oklahoma City University Alumni may use this code - OCUALUM - to receive $10 off.  On day of concert tickets may only be purchased online.

MASS seeks the meaning and relevance of faith in an increasingly secular and noisy world. Sometimes humorous, occasionally bawdy, and at times profoundly moving, Bernstein’s masterpiece, based on the Roman Catholic liturgy, includes passages sung in Latin with additional texts in English by Bernstein, Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, and Paul Simon. The work, scored for orchestra, marching and rock bands, actors, and dancers, also features rock, blues, Broadway, and classical music.

Scott Guthrie, native Oklahoman and 2001 OCU graduate will play the lead role as The Celebrant – The central character of the work, a Catholic priest who conducts the celebration of the Mass. The remainder of the cast will include current OCU music theatre students and dancers, the OCU orchestra and Canterbury’s Adult and Youth Choruses.

Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, MASS debuted at the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1971.

“With approximately 200 performers, including dancers, singers, a chorus, rock and blues singers, actors, two orchestras, as well as a marching band, Mass is a musical and theatrical experience,” said Dr. Randi Von Ellefson, Artistic Director for both organizations.

Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, Jamie Bernstein, will be traveling to Oklahoma to see the production as the piece is not produced very often. Replicating her father’s compulsion to share and teach, Jamie has devised several ways of communicating her own excitement about classical music. She is a frequent speaker on musical topics, including in-depth discussions of her father’s works. Jamie has also written and narrated concerts about Mozart and Aaron Copland, among others.

“We are predicting a sell out for this concert,” said Canterbury's Executive Director, Dr. Kay Holt. “Not only because the piece is a premiere to Oklahoma but also because of Leonard Bernstein’s talent as a composer.”

For more information or to order tickets call 232-SING (7464) or go to http://www.myticketoffice.com/events.asp?id=11&loc=234.


From the press release

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