Early in the third season, The Marietta Master Chorale began preparing for its May/June 2003 tour of Germany and Austria by performing “A Concert of Sacred and Secular German Music” in its first two concerts of the season held at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia (30 October 2002) and First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, Georgia (3 November 2002).  This was followed by “An American Sampler” which celebrated patriotic and early American works, as well as traditional hymns and spirituals, contemporary, sacred and folk music.  The Chorale performed this repertoire at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia (29 January 2003) and East Cobb Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia (2 February 2003).

For the third concert series of the season, The Marietta Master Chorale performed an all Mozart concert, “Mozart in the Square”, at two venues in the metro area.  The first performance, held at Christ the King Lutheran Church (27 April 2003), featured the chorale’s own Gordon Porth as accompanying organist, along with guest soloists Hillary Hight (soprano), Nannette Soles (mezzo-soprano), Brian Horne (tenor), and Alan Payne (bass).  In May, along with orchestra, this talented group of soloists again performed with the chorale at First Baptist Church of Marietta, Georgia (3 May 2003), where Gordon Porth performed Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major”, and organist Sueda Luttrell performed Mozart’s “Sonata for Organ and Orchestra No. 14”.

The Marietta Master Chorale culminated its season stateside with “Gute Reise Konzert” (Bon Voyage Concert) held at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Marietta, Georgia (18 May 2003).  At this performance, the Chorale showcased the repertoire it would take to Germany and Austria on its premiere European tour (29 May-9 June 2003).  This European tour was highlighted by performances at the Cathedral in Cologne and at the Salzburg Dom in Austria, as well as a benefit concert in Darmstadt, Germany to raise funds for the restoration of the Russian Orthodox Church.  The choir was also honored at a Mayor’s reception in Linz-Am-Rhein, Marietta’s Sister City.

The chorale now looks forward to its fourth season with great anticipation for a wonderful year!

     The Marietta Master Chorale’s fourth season contained many milestones.   The season began with great promise as the Chorale prepared for its first totally secular concert.  The lively repertoire for “Madrigals and More” ranged from Italian Madrigals and French Chansons to Spanish songs and German Romantic part songs.  The concert culminated with three fun a cappella arrangements of Beatles songs --- a definite audience pleaser! 

            The holiday season provided the Chorale with its first opportunity to participate in the holiday performance schedule on the Marietta Square, a festive holiday tradition for which the city of Marietta has become known!  The Chorale sang traditional holiday carols, but with some unique a cappella arrangements of old favorites.  The chorale followed up this performance a week later with a selection of traditional holiday songs performed for The Rotary Club of Marietta Metro.

Though not new to the practice of singing in various languages, upon receiving an invitation to sing a Greek Hymn at a performance for the Archbishop, the Chorale sought to exemplify two key points from its own vision statement --- to explore our common humanity through music and to serve as a vehicle for communication and understanding.  Rehearsing with Demetri Mitaldes, the Chorale studied phonetic Greek in order to perform the hymn for a most appreciative audience from Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.

As the new year began, the Chorale ushered in 2004 with a January performance on the steps of the Georgia State Capital.  “Georgia On My Mind” highlighted this performance, which took place between sessions of the General Assembly.

      Another first for the chorale in this fourth season was participating as part of worship services in Atlanta-area cathedrals.  The Cathedral of Christ the King and The Cathedral of St. Philip were the settings as the chorale sang the Vigil Mass (The Cathedral of Christ the King) and, the following day, participated in the Holy Eucharist service (The Cathedral of St. Philip). 

            With Spring drawing near, the Chorale embarked on a combined choir venture that found them joining forces with Just Voices, under the direction of Liz Frazier.  The result of this union of choirs was “A Cappella Traditions”, a program of sacred and secular choral music.  Each choir performed works from their own repertoire then joined forces for several larger works.  Spirituals, shape note hymns, madrigals, and vocal jazz were featured in the concert set which culminated, appropriately enough, with a motet for double choir by Johann Sebastian Bach.

            In reflection, this fourth season was filled with milestones --- creative and challenging “firsts” for the Chorale.  To put an exclamation point on such a wonderful season would require a musical venture which, when set in motion, could provide a level of artistic expression that would “fit” in this season of “firsts”.  Such a venture was set in motion with the Chorale’s acceptance to perform at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.  Titled “Little Austrian Gems”, Artistic Director Jerid Morisco compiled a series of works that showcased great Austrian composers, featuring strings and organ, as well as talented soprano, Young Sook Oh.  After performing this concert at various venues in Marietta, the Chorale traveled to Charleston and performed at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, marking its 37^th performance in its four-year history.

The fifth season awaits, so visit our home page often for an updated concert schedule.  There are sure to be many more milestones ahead…

The mission of The Marietta Master Chorale is to provide musical opportunity and enrichment to the city of Marietta through vocal performance, which shall involve all segments of humanity represented in this great city, while servings as a mark of distinction of Marietta. The vision is to humanize the experiences of all persons in Marietta, to serve as a focal point of communication and understanding, to truly be community-based, representing all that is Marietta, to serve as a training ground for musical growth, and to reach high artistic standards.

The Marietta Master Chorale is a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, and graciously accepts donations to help with organizational expenses.

The Marietta Master Chorale encourages the participation of persons interested in making serious choral music. The group is non-auditioned; however, persons desiring membership will participate in three open rehearsals, after which, they may be invited to join. Membership in The Marietta Master Chorale is open bi-annually at the beginning of each season in August, as well as the start of each calendar year in January. The Marietta Master Chorale rehearses from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on all Thursdays that Marietta City Schools is in session.

For more information concerning The Marietta Master Chorale, please email the Conductor.