A holiday concert by the virtuoso male chorus Chanticleer is a tradition at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. This season, the San Francisco-based ensemble will double the pleasure with an identical program at GMU’s Hylton Center in Manassas. Since its founding in 1978, Chanticleer has been praised by experts as the finest male chorus in the world. Packed houses in this country and abroad clamor for their concerts of music spanning ten centuries and styles ranging from early chants to jazz and contemporary works.
During their visit to Virginia, music director Jace Wittig promises two evenings of carols from the Renaissance, Gregorian chants, motets, seasonal favorites, “something fresh” from Spain and their beloved rendition of “Ave Maria.”
| ONSTAGE |
| A Chanticleer Christmas |
| » Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts |
| » When: 8 p.m. Saturday |
| » Info: $24 to $48; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu |
| » Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas |
| » When: 4 p.m. Sunday |
| » Info: $32 to $48; 888-945-2468; hyltoncenter.org |
“Many people come up after our Christmas concert to tell us it makes the season for them,” he said. “Those in our audience are often musicians, some of them students or members of choirs or community choruses. We hope our music gives them a renewed zest for what they do. Perhaps others in the crowd will be inspired to sing and audition for the first time.”
Wittig joined Chanticleer six years ago following the three-step audition format that begins with submission of a CD or video. After singing with the ensemble and pairing voices, the lucky candidate is offered a position. Because the singers are salaried, they can focus on the performances and forget the job worries that trouble most musicians.
Currently the Interim Music Director, the baritone is involved in selecting music for next season. Although he does not sing with the touring group, he will join them for the GMU pre-concert discussions.
“Our repertoire has great variety, but each piece is beautiful in its own way and has a certain sparkle when sung in parts,” Wittig said. “If a piece is brand new, we work with the composer to arrange it, but if it’s old, we tend to arrange it ourselves.
“Wherever we perform, audiences expect the same pristine sound. Although the new singers we choose may have interesting solo voices, they must primarily fit into an ensemble that sings chants, Renaissance music, gospel, pop and jazz with ease. Christmas is our favorite time of the year because our audiences are looking to our music for the peace and calm of the holiday season.”
