For Immediate Release: September 27, 2009
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MYSTERIUM ~ October 17 18
FALL BRINGS MYSTERY, SECRETS, WORLD PREMIERES, AND A NEW VENUE FRO THE ESOTERICS PLUS! The Esoterics prepares for EsoChef fundraiser |
SEATTLE — The Esoterics has a 16-year history of promoting and supporting contemporary choral music. Their upcoming concert, MYSTERIUM, will contribute strongly to this mission by featuring a program consisting entirely of world premieres. The set of pieces share a common thread: each composition depicts the secrets of known and unknown worlds. As a centerpiece for the concert, The Esoterics will premiere the longest and largest choral work to date by its composer-in-residence, Donald Skirvin. Skirvin's nine-movement cycle sets poems by Sara Teasdale, in which the poet uses images from the changing seasons to unlock the mysteries of love.
Dark of the Moon demonstrates [Teasdale's] autumnal turn of mind," says Skirvin about his piece. “She explores the hidden mysteries of the heart and of life as she peers into the fading light. I hope my settings are worthy of this last journey she writes about and that the listener can hear and appreciate the timely wisdom she imparts to us."
In addition to Skirvin's choral symphony, the ensemble is excited to premiere three new commissions by the winners of this year's POLYPHONOS competition. Each year, The Esoterics receives applications from around the world and selects three composers (one national winner, one international winner, and one young composer under 30) to receive a $1,000 commission and funds to travel to Seattle to hear their works performed. This year's winners include Chicago composer Shawn Allison, Filipino composer Nilo Alcala, and Argentinean composer Eduardo Malachevsky.
The Esoterics wishes to express gratitude to the dozens of donors who contributed to the summer POLYPHONOS fund drive, providing funds to support the commissions and travel costs for our three winners.
Please join The Esoterics in this exploration of autumnal secrets.
SCHEDULE CHANGE! Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Esoterics has canceled its performances on 10 October (in Lynnwood) and 11 October (in Olympia).
Saturday 17 Oct 8:00 PM • Seattle
St Joseph's Catholic Church • 732 18th Ave E
Sunday 18 Oct 3:00 PM • West Seattle
Holy Rosary Catholic Church • 4139 42nd Ave SW
Tickets are $20 at the door, $18 in advance, $15 for students,
seniors, the un(der)employed, and the differently-abled. Discounts are available
for groups of five or more at $12 per person. Active singers of any choral group
may attend for only $10. Advance tickets are available online at
THE ESOTERICS CELEBRATES FOOD AND MUSIC IN "ESOCHEF" FUNDRAISER
Fresh off their successful POLYPHONOS summer fund drive (over $5000 raised), The Esoterics is proud to announce its first (possibly annual) EsoChef fundraiser on October 3rd, 2009. In the vein of reality television shows such as Top Chef and Iron Chef, two members of The Esoterics will compete to receive the highest scores from a set of food-loving judges (and donors).
The two opponents will be Whitney Wishart, Secretary of The Esoterics' Board of Directors, and Bayta Maring, Board President. The idea was inspired by Maring’s recent move to a former duplex in Fremont which conveniently has two kitchens. Each chef will work with two sous-chefs to create five dishes that all share one secret ingredient.
The cost of regular entry is $100 plus at least one bottle of wine; however, there are "official" judge slots that can either be purchased for $250 or taken by members of the press for free. Space is extremely limited: there are only 12 regular entry and 2 judge slots available.
This unique foray in the world of fundraising events may become an annual event, or might be repeated in February. "I want to do a Valentine’s dessert challenge," says Wishart. "I think we have some amazing bakers and pastry chefs in the group who might be eager to compete."
The Esoterics has presented dozens of local and international premieres and has tackled the most challenging works of 20th and 21st century choral repertoire. Now in its 16th season with founding director Eric Banks, the ensemble has drawn national and international praise for presenting the many styles that comprise contemporary choral music. The Esoterics' commitment to innovative concert repertoire has been nationally recognized four times (in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2008) with the ASCAP and Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music. The ensemble was also honored to be selected as the only North American chorus to compete at the 2000 International Choral Festival in Cork, Ireland, the 2001 International Choral Festival in Tolosa, Spain, and the 2006 Harald Andersén International Choir Competition in Helsinki, Finland.
If you have additional questions about MYSTERIUM or The Esoterics (media contact only), please contact Bayta Maring ()