Vivace Youth Chorus - Highlights

Highlights

(To see a complete time line of activities, 2003-2011, click HERE.)

2010-2011
*Ensemble sings with Opera San José*

In November 2010 an ensemble of singers from Vivace's Intermediate, Concert and Chamber Choirs performed as the Children's Chorus in Opera San Jose's production of 'Tosca' by Puccini. San Jose Opera's production of 'La Boheme', April and May, 2011, also featured an ensemble of singers from Vivace Youth Chorus.

February 2010
*Haiti Relief Concert*

Vivace's Intermediate Chorus participated in the Haiti Relief Concert, held in San Jose, CA just after Haiti's devastating earthquake.

June 2009
*Pied Piper of Hamelin*

On June 7th, Vivace Students presented two performances of ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ to packed houses at the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose. Composed by John Rutter, this opera was commissioned for St. John’s College School, Cambridge, England in 1980.

March 2009
*Sondra Clark's Requiem*

Vivace Youth Chorus of San José performed a composition by award-winning local composer Sondra Clark at a concert on March 21, 2009, 8:00 p.m. at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in downtown San Jose. Vivace Youth Chorus was featured with the San Jose Symphonic Choir, Mission Chamber Orchestra and soloists to present Clark’s critically acclaimed Requiem For Lost Children. The performance was conducted by Maestro Leroy Kromm.

Spring 2008
*World Premier of Amherst Requiem*

Vivace Concert, Chamber and Teen Choirs joined Stanford Symphonic Chorus and the Peninsula Symphony on November 21st and 23rd at Stanford Memorial Chapel to present the premiere of Brian Holmes’ Amherst Requiem in November. This piece combines the poetry of Emily Dickinson with the requiem mass text. The performance was conducted by Maestro Mitchell Sardou Klein.

Spring 2008
*Vivace takes part in 01SJ Festival*

The chorus recorded “Why Not” by Dale Victorine for inclusion in an audio composition that was part of Helena Keeffe’s project for San José’s 01 Festival. Keeffe’s work titled “Memorial Forum Remix” used audio mobile devices to guide spectators through the Robert Kennedy Forum in St. James Park in San José. The lyrics for “Why Not” were taken from a quote found on the memorial placard: “Some men see things as they are and say ‘why’, I dream of things that never were and say ‘why not’”. On June 7, 2008 at 1:00p.m. in St. James Park, Vivace was part of a live, collaborative performance of Keeffe’s work that included other area musicians and a DJ remix of RFK speeches.

May 2008
*Kodaly Children's Choral Festival*

Vivace participated in this festival, which was sponsored by Holy Names University and the Northern California Association of Kodaly Educators, for the third consecutive year. The 2008 festival was on May 3, 2008 and featured guest conductor Ildiko Salgado. She is on the Kodaly faculty at Holy Names University and holds degrees from the Liszt Academy in Budapest.

Spring 2008
*Vivace receives its first commissioned piece.*

“The Caged Bird Sings of Freedom” by composer Brian Holmes of San José was premiered this spring. The song lyrics are from the poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. We are very grateful to Jacquelyn Hall, a flutist and former elementary school teacher, for underwriting this work. This challenging and sophisticated piece is a favorite with our singers.

Fall 2007
*Vivace takes part in an Opera San José production. *

13 Vivace Singers participated as the children's chorus in Opera San Jose's fall production of “Werther” at the California Theater in downtown San José. Working with the opera's staff and singing in a professional production was an experience our singers will never forget.

June 2007
*Vivace Day is celebrated with a concert at City Hall*

San José City Council and Mayor Chuck Reed declared Sunday June, 10 2007 “Vivace Day”. Vivace presented their concert “Young Voices, Grand Opera” in City Hall’s Rotunda. Councilmember Judy Chirco hosted the concert which was performed by four levels of the chorus accompanied by piano, flute and violin. The concert was a benefit for Santa Clara Family Health Plan.

June 2007
*Vivace appears on Comcast Cable’s “On the Town” *

Readers of the Bay Area Parent Magazine have voted Vivace “Best of the Best” in music classes 3 years in a row. This means we have earned a place in the Family Favorites Hall of Fame. We are grateful to our families for this acknowledgement of the quality of our staff, program and concerts.

Spring 2007
*Vivace Youth Chorus included in Family Favorites Hall of Fame*

May 2007
*Central Coast Children's Choir Festival, San Luis Obispo*

Vivace worked with guest conductor Granville Oldham and participated in a workshop on jazz and improvisation with jazz artist Inge Swearingen.

February 2007
*M.L.K. Library Celebration of Dr.King's Birthday *

Vivace presented a concert in the library as part of the commemoration of Dr. King's birthday.

January 2007
*KKUP, Public Radio, 91.5 FM in Cupertino*

Vivace appeared on "A Meeting of the Ways" hosted by Diane Solomon. In addition to the director, various choir members were interviewed and the chorus sang songs from its upcoming concert.

December 2006
*Joint Holiday Concert with San Jose Symphonic at Le Petit Trianon*

Vivace’s combined Concert and Chamber Choirs sang as part of San José Symphonic’s holiday program. Besides presenting some of their own repertoire, Vivace singers enjoyed collaborating with San Jose Symphonic by singing some of the adult choir’s holiday pieces as well. Included in these works was one of Vivace’s favorite pieces, “Carol of the Field Mice”, by Brian Holmes.

June 2006
*Sing a Mile High Choral Festival, Denver, CO*

Vivace was one of ten choirs chosen from around the country to participate in the first festival put on by Young Voices of Colorado. Guest conductors Rollo Dilworth and Katherine Sailer led the festival choir in the University of Denver's performance hall. Participating choirs also had a chance to perform independently. Music included a premiere of Rollo Dilworth's arrangement of “Climbin’ Up the Mountain”. Singers returned with new friends from around the country as well as an outstanding musical experience.