Highland Camerata begins 2007 Winter Concert Rehearsals

      Rehearsals for The Highland Camerata’s winter concert series begin Tuesday, September 4, at 7:00 pm in the Brush Creek Hall in Independence, VA.  As usual, all singers are welcome. The Highland Camerata includes members from throughout the region including both Virginia and North Carolina. This year’s winter concerts are scheduled for December 7, 9 and 11. The Camerata does not have auditions, but its music is rigorous.

      This season Director Mary Elizabeth Whartenby of Galax, Virginia has chosen a major work for the first half of the concert, "Wachet Auf" (Sleepers Wake), a cantata by J.S. Bach with accompaniment by the Collegium Musicum of Salem.

      The second half of the program will include three songs by Hindemith, “In winter,” “The doe,” and “A Swan.” Also included are “Silent night,” “Yule Be Rocking,” an arrangement of Christmas songs in Rock style, “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lauridsen, and “Evening Prayer” by Humperdinck.

        “We always look forward to welcoming new singers,” declared Becky Helton, president of the Camerata. “I urge anyone interested tocome to Brush Creek Hall for the opening rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. on September 4. We’ll start with a social hour with refreshments followed by the first, brief review of the season’s music. It’s a great way to see if the Camerata is for you.”  The Highland Camerata’s regular rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

      Brush Creek Hall, home of The Highland Camerata, is located between Sparta, NC, and Independence, VA, on US Hwy. 21, 1 mile north of the New River.  Persons interested in singing are invited to call Debbie Brady at 336-372-4402 in North Carolina or Becky Helton in Virginia at 276-236-8708 for further information.

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