Online Video Premiere

Premiered Friday, October 30, 2020, 7:15 p.m.

Choral Arts Society YouTube Channel (please subscribe)

For the best viewing experience, we recommend using high quality speakers or headphones, and watching on a smart TV or with a streaming app, or on a computer.

Music from past CAS concerts and reflections by CAS members and friends have been woven together for a unique presentation. We premiered this creative video on the CAS YouTube channel on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 7:15 PM. RETRO will help you to experience CAS in a new way. You will have the best views and additional insights into the process of composing and into our choral community. The presentation is offered free of charge, but we would greatly appreciate your donations.

RETRO features works by local composers Antonio Rodrigues-Pavao and Karel Suchy. CAS has worked closely with these composers, and premiered some of their compositions. The community is able to enjoy their music again online. Pavao’s “sam was a man” enhances the text’s poignancy and humor. Suchy’s “Sound Poem Inspired by Nosferatu” will set the mood for Halloween weekend.

People close to CAS, including current and past board presidents, share their thoughts on the chorus and on their personal involvement. Artistic Director James Schatzman includes his remarks.

This video is in three acts. The first act, “Testimony” features the personal reflections of current president Heather Shaffer, past presidents Joe Papenfuss and Joyce Gregg, singers Larry Gregg and Judy Kirby, administrator Julia Suchy, and of course founder and artistic director James Schatzman.

The second act features performances of two works by Wisconsin composer Antonio Rodrigues Pavao, “Time is” and “sam was a man.” Pavao and others share their thoughts.

The third act features two segments from composer Karel Suchy’s “Sound Poem Inspired by Nosferatu” with remembrances and remarks. Sculptures and graphic art created for the multi-disciplinary presentation of this composition provide intriguing visuals.

Despite the pandemic, CAS is committed to furthering our mission to present works by living composers and choral masterworks. In 2020-2021 CAS will create opportunities to connect with our audience and bring the beauty of the arts to your home.

This season was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for this season has been allocated from the Friends of Seniors Fund, the Vonnie and Maglona Jones Fund, and the Unrestricted Fund within the Racine Community Foundation.

Featured photo by Scott Olsen of My Eyes Photography