The Rocky River Chorale performed a joint concert with the Lakewood Symphonic Mixed Choir and other Lakewood High School choral ensembles on Wednesday October 29, 2014 at 7:30 pm in the Lakewood Civic Auditorium. The program included Lakewood’s two quartets, “Vive L’Four” and “The Fourtes,” who performed classics, including “Vive L’Amour” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” The Rocky River Chorale then performed a Newfoundland folk song, “Sarah,” and an African-American Spiritual, “Ain’a That Good News.” The Lakewood Chamber Choir performed several madrigals, and then the combined Lakewood Symphonic Mixed Choir and Rocky River Chorale performed the majority of Antonio Vivaldi’s choral masterwork, “Gloria,” RV 589.
Soloists Maria Klek and Rachel Fagerhaug were both featured on the third movement duet “Laudamus te.” Both students performed admirably and received praise from audience members and members of the Lakewood choirs. The Lakewood Symphonic Mixed choir performs a choral masterwork with another school district’s choir every other year for their fall concert, and the Rocky River Chorale.
Rocky River Chorale Director Allison Paetz and Lakewood Symphonic Mixed Choir Director Peter Hampton collaborated for several months to coordinate this project, which included a rehearsal with Lakewood’s Symphonic Mixed choir in September, where they joined the Rocky River Chorale for a few hours at Rocky River High School. Praise is also due to the tremendous Amethyst String Quartet, featuring Mary Beth Ions, Carol Ruzicka, Alexandra Vago, Linda Atherton, and Marjorie Adler. The concert overall was a great success and a very positive experience for all singers involved.