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Valley Concert Chorale announces 2012-13 season
'We'll sing songs of joy, laughter, serenity,' says artistic director

The Valley Concert Chorale, celebrating 49 years as the Tri-Valley's premier chorus, has announced its 2012-2013 concert season entitled "Sharing the Joy of Song."

"Our season features songs for every emotion," said John Emory Bush, atistic director and conductor of the Chorale. "We'll sing songs of joy, laughter, serenity and celebration. I am certain that audiences will experience the same emotions that the lyrics and melodies portray."

Opening the season is an afternoon of the silly songs of Gilbert and Sullivan, a performance to benefit the Chorale.

"The first time we performed this program it was a sold-out event, a huge success and extremely popular with our audiences," said VCC President Dave Brunswick. "As we did before, we will serve tasty British treats and teas, so tickets will again sell quickly."

Another highlight of the season will be the April performance, "Songs of Serenity," featuring the music of contemporary choral masters, French composer Maurice Duruflé and American composer Morten Laurdisen.

"We will perform the Duruflé 'Requiem and Laurdisen's 'Lux Aeterna,' (Eternal Light), two of the most deeply moving contemporary choral pieces ever written," Bush said. "These two pieces are favorites of choral singers and audiences all over the world, and whether you are a fan of choral music or not, after experiencing these two pieces, you will be."

Closing out the season in May, the Chorale will help the Livermore-Amador Symphony celebrate its 50th anniversary season in performing the ever-popular Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Bankhead Theater in downtown Livermore.

"We are very excited to perform Beethoven's masterpiece with the LAS symphony," Brunswick said. "Performing in the Bankhead Theater is always a treat for us as it is a wonderful theater with great acoustics. Together, we will raise the roof with an 'Ode to Joy.'"

For more information, visit www.valleyconcertchorale.org or call 866-4003.

2012-2013 Concert Season:

* Songs of Laughter -- An Afternoon with Gilbert and Sullivan: 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21

* Holiday Songs of Joy with Cantabella Children's Chorus: 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2

* Sing-It-Yourself Messiah: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14

* Songs of Serenity: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13

* Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Livermore-Amador Symphony: 8 p.m., Saturday, May 18