The holiday season is one of cherished rituals and traditions. A long-held tradition in classical music is that of the oratorio, which features an orchestra, choir, and vocal soloists. Usually relating a biblical story or text, these religious concert pieces were wonderful platforms for composers to explore their creativity in a sacred realm.
The Lompoc Valley Master Chorale, a coalition of skilled local singers under the direction of Kathleen Abrams Hacker, is presenting a production of a famous oratorio-style piece, Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria. The master chorale composes most of the talent needed to perform the piece, but several talented local singers and instrumentalists are filling out the orchestra and solo parts.
“We’re just doing it with a string quartet, oboe, and trumpet, and then the organ fills it out,” Hacker said, “but that’s all we need.”
Vivaldi was a Baroque era composer (he lived from 1678 to 1741), a time known for its smaller chamber orchestras. Productions featuring only one instrument on a part are not uncommon, especially when an organist joins the fray.
“We are so blessed to have Dr. Katya Gotsdiner-McMahan, the organist,” Hacker said. “I have also asked her to accompany us on two carols, and she is quite the virtuoso organist, so she will be playing some toccata-like introductions and interludes.”
The first half of the program is reserved for Vivaldi, but the rest will feature some favorite holiday tunes and classic Christmas carols. The second half will also feature several opportunities for the audience to join in on the singing.
“It’s always great to have the audience sing,” Hacker said. “It creates one big choir, which is really great.”
Vivaldi initially wrote Gloria for the young girls at the Conservatorio dell’Ospedale della Pieta, a Venetian orphanage where he was a violin teacher. The entire choir, orchestra, and soloists were all wards and students at the institution, and their musical performances helped pay for the expenses of the orphanage. In that same vein, the Lompoc Valley Master Chorale’s profits will go toward a scholarship fund for local high school students graduating with an interest in music.
“I am looking forward to this performance,” Hacker said. “We have something for everyone.”
Though nearly 300 years old, Gloria is a relatively modern piece because it wasn’t discovered until the 1930s. Immediately thereafter, the piece began resonating with audiences and became a regular part of the cultural repertoire, often performed around the holidays.
“It is very appealing to audiences because of the melodies and the spirit of the pieces,” Hacker said. “Most of the piece has a very bright, sunny nature to it and many of the rhythms are like a dance.”
Vivaldi is best known for his violin concerti, like The Seasons, but his spirited appeal lends itself to the voice perfectly in Gloria. His melody writing speaks with a directness and beauty that definitely elicits something sacred or beyond the mortal plane.
“There is a simplicity in it,” Hacker said. “It’s not as complex as music from other eras … and it seems the rhythm and the melodies come through the message so clearly that it is easy to relate to.”
The Lompoc Valley Master Chorale will be presenting two performances of Vivaldi’s Gloria along with favorite holiday songs and Christmas carols at the First United Methodist Church in Lompoc.
“I think music helps people get through the holidays in a happy way,” Hacker said. “We always have wonderful audiences for the holiday concerts and I’m always happy if they find something meaningful to take with them.”
Hear the Saints bands
The Santa Maria High School bands present a program featuring performances by the Santa Maria High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos and the Santa Maria High School Concert Band on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Santa Maria High School’s Ethel Pope Auditorium, 901 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $5. More info: 925-2567, Ext. 3321.
Colorful music
Red Wanting Blue performs a live concert on Dec. 7 at 9 p.m. at Rooney’s Irish Pub, 241 S. Broadway St., Orcutt. Cost is $20, $15 presale. More info: 928-8257 or jbailey@smvpt.com.
Local voices
The Coastal Voices presents its annual holiday concert featuring favorite songs and carols on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3945 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $12, $10 presale. More info: 937-3416 coastalvoices@gmail.com, and coastalvoices.info.
Live at D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Jacob Cole and Emily Wren live on Dec. 7 and Jerry Stickell on Dec. 11 with both shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Karaoke nights are Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the bar and bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Get flowing
Creative Juices presents the Heart and Soul Band on Dec. 7 and the Cadillac Angels on Dec. 13. Shows happen from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Creative Juices Lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More info: 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Keeping it jazzy
The Allan Hancock College Jazz Band directed by Chuck Osborne presents a fall concert on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Unity Chapel Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Orcutt. More info: 937-3025 or unitychapeloflight@verizon.net.
For the animals
An “Animals in Need Fundraiser” will feature a tree-lighting ceremony and benefit concert by Dave Stamey on Dec. 8 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Edwards Barn, 1095 Pomeroy Ave., Nipomo. Cost is $45. More info: ainfund.org.
The sweet singers
The Tri City Sound Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International that invites all to the “Friends and Family Christmas Concert” on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 4725 S. Bradley Road, Orcutt. More info: 736-7572 or tricitysound.org.
Open mic night
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic night featuring wine, poetry, and live music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
Hear the Hillbillies
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including country music by the Hollywood Hillbillies on Dec. 6 at 7:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 10:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring the Hillbillies is Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 5-12, 2013.
