A MIGHTY FORTRESS Bi , : presented by the Central Oregon .. Mastersingers SS & Orchestra wy Wy directed by Clyde Thompson First Presbyterian Church of Bend Saturday, September 17, 2005 7:30 PMPictured on the cover of the program is Georgenkirche (St. George’s Church), the principal charch in the German city of Eisenach, where, on March 23, 1685, Johann Sebastian “ Bach was baptized. For more than 132 years and spanning, four generations, the organist of St. Gearge’s church was a member of the Bach family. Above the doorway of the church can be seen the inscription “EIN FESTE BURG IST UNSER GOTT,” the title of Martin Luther's famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” Eisenach was also the boyhood home, two centuries before Bach, of Martin Luther himself, Luther sang in the gallery of the church as a choirboy and, years later, he preached in the church on his journey home from the Diet of Worms. ‘The Central Oregon Mastersingers is an ensemble comprising some of the region’s best vocalists that has been created especially for this concért. All of the participants have been active members of other choirs, or are themselves music directors and teachers. Some of the ensembles in which they've taken part are-the Cascade Chorale, the Obsidian Opera Company, the COCC College Choir, the High Desert Harmoneers, the Candlelight Dinner Cabaret, Theatre, the Central Oregon Recorder Consort, Choral CrossTies, Oregon Repertory Singers, the Cabaret Connection, and numerous church choirs, Several of the participants are familiar to Central Oregon audiences as soloists in numerous venues. The Mastersingers also includes choir directors at several area schools, churches, and ‘community organizations, and private voice teachers. ‘The Orchestra members likewise include a number of music teachers and professionals who are active throughout Central Oregon and beyond, ‘They are members of the Central Oregon Symphony, ditected by Michael Gesme. In addition, many of the participants also play in other ensembles including the Cascade Winds Symphonic Band, the COCC Big Band Jazz, and chamber ensembles such as the Comucopia Brass Quintet and the Dove String Quartet, Participants of this group also play regularly in professional ensembles including the Sunriver Festival Orchestra, the Newport Symphony Orchestra, and the Rogue Valley Symphony. Several members maintain private teaching studios. Clyde Thompson has, since retiring from his music teaching position at COC, remained active in the Central Oregon music scene as a performer, ditector, and composer. He has received commissions to write music for the opening of the ‘Tower Theater, for the Cascades Theatrical Company's production of “Wit,” and for Bend native Colin Lippy. “Letters From Paul” was commissioned by Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, Missouri, and was premicted there in June. Future projects include an invitation to participate in a performance in North Carolina this November of one of his works at a convention of the National Association for Music Education by the choirs and band of the University of North Carolina Pembroke Clyde wishes to express his deepfelt thanks to all of the talented musicians in this evening's concert who have joined forces to bring all this music so beautifully to life. iProgram Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major Johann Sebastian Bach Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Johann Sebastian Bach Soloists: Ann Hogrefe, soprano; James Knox, bass: Timothy Burdsall, tenor; Eileen Heaton, alto Damigella tutta bella Claudio Monteverdi Recorders: Ann Hogrefe, Jo Ann Thompson, Phyllis Van Buskirk; : Bassoon: Wendy Bloom Carol Kirkman, Marion Johnson; Cello: Mitra Woods Harpsichord: Jean Shrader Violis Lamento della ninfa * Claudio Monteverdi Eileen Heaton, Steve Osterkamp, James Knox, Keith Chaiet ~ Set Down, Servant! Spiritual, arr. Robert Shaw Soloists: Sherie Neff, alto; George Larson, bass Intermission Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Early American Hymn Lord, Thou hast been our refuge Ralph Vaughan Williams Letters from Paul ‘ Clyde Thompson 1. The Footsteps Il. Though I Speak IIL. ‘So Walk in Love Katrina Hays, mezzo-soprano * Love Divine, All Loves Excelling setting by Mack Wilberg.