Poinsettia Pops 2023 Program Notes

The Greeley Chorale

Under the direction of Dr. Galen Darrough

The Greeley Chorale originated in 1964 as a community chorus under the direction of Dr. Howard Skinner. Over the years the Chorale has grown from a 40 voice ensemble in 1964 to more than 90 voices today. Along the way, the Chorale has been an integral part of community celebrations, such as the downtown Christmas tree lighting, the Weld County “Concert for Peace”, the Hospice Tree of Memories lighting, UNC’s “Concert Under the Stars”, BT Voices for Hospice, City of Greeley Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the Exchange Club’s “Healing Field”, the Union Colony Civic Center 25th Anniversary Celebration, and the Greeley Independence Stampede, where the Chorale is a perennial performer of the national anthem. The Chorale also helped create and support the Greeley Children’s Chorale, now an independent organization. Celebrating its 59th season, the Chorale offers 3 concerts a year, plus its annual “Cabaret & Cabernet” fundraiser in February.

The Greeley Children's Chorale

Under the direction of Sue Davis & Kris Pierce The Greeley Children’s Chorale was founded by Kay (Copley) Boyd in 1990 and consists of two auditioned choral groups: Peak Performers (grades 5–8) and Summit Singers (grades 3–6), as well as one non-auditioned group: Valley Voices (grades 2–4). The Children’s Chorale has appeared with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greeley Chamber Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra of the Rockies, the Kream of the Krop Big Band, UNC Choirs, and the Greeley Chorale. Performing our own a cappella version of The Star Spangled Banner has become an annual event at UNC sporting events, Colorado Eagles hockey games, and Colorado Rockies baseball games. The Chorale performed at the National Orff Music Educator Conference in 2013 and made its third appearance at the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) Conference in January 2016 to much acclaim. We are proud to have served the children, families and arts community of Weld County for over 30 beautiful seasons!

REPERTOIRE

FIXMER Melody Contest Winner

FIXMER Bells of the Winter Range

J.S. BACH Sheep May Safely Graze

TCHAIKOVSKY Music from Nutcracker

1) Marche

2) Trepak

3) Waltz of the Flowers

PROKOFIEV Troika from Lieutenant Kije

ANDERSON Bugler’s Holiday

INTERMISSION

HEARSHEN A Classical Christmas

TRADITIONAL ARR. POWERS Sussex Carol

O’NEILL, KINKEL, & PACHELBEL Christmas Canon

ARR. NICHOLSON Ding Dong Merrily on High

ARR. BRADFORD Jesus Rest Your Head

ARR. RUTTER The Twelve Days of Christmas

Dr. Galen Darrough, guest conductor

ARR. RUTTER We Wish You A Merry Christmas