Tom Hall, the music director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, is excited about the upcoming performance of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” featuring the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop, the BCAS and the Peabody Children’s Chorus, more than 300 musicians in all.
“This is one of the three most accessible and popular works for chorus and orchestra, the others being Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and the Brahms ‘Requiem,’ ” Hall says. “It’s a foot-tapper that’s familiar to everyone because excerpts are heard so often on TV and videos. Marin has a flair for rambunctious, raucous pieces.”
No sooner will the final note of the Orff work fade away than singers and instrumentalists focus on next week’s BSO Pops concert, “A Chorus of Hits.” Conducted by Jack Everly, the program consists of choral favorites. The dramatic season finale for both ensembles is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in mid-June.
“We enjoy working with Marin because she brings great new energy and good vibes to the BSO,” Hall says. “In addition to our joint appearances in repertoire for large symphonic choruses, we have our own subscription series. Our symphonic chorus has 120 members, and the full choir has 90. Our chamber choir of 40 singers does a great deal of a cappella music and is very involved in community outreach to retirement homes and schools. They also give smaller concerts throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.”
Hall points out that the BCAS weekly rehearsals leap to seven per week as major concerts loom large. “Christmas with Choral Arts” is so popular that the Emmy Award-winning program (2005 in the Special Events category) has been televised for 13 years.
Hall’s own musical life is a whirlwind of local performances and guest appearances throughout this country and abroad. As cultural editor of Maryland Morning, he is on the air four times weekly.
“I started out as a classical guitarist, but I quickly discovered that I prefer working with other people,” he says. “Collaborating with musicians all around the world has brought me great friendships and great pleasure.”
If you go
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Choral Arts Society and Peabody Children’s Chorus perform Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”
Venue No. 1: Music Center at Strathmore, 8 p.m. Saturday
Venue No. 2: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday
BSO Superpops: “A Chorus of Hits” with Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Venue No. 1: Music Center at Strathmore, 8 p.m. May 8
Venue No. 2: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 8 p.m. May 9 and 10, 3 p.m. May 11
Tickets for all events: $21 to $84 at 877-BSO-1444 or bsomusic.org.
