Soloists still planning to perform 'Requiem'
If you go
What: Performances of Verdi's "Requiem" by 160-plus singers from UW-Parkside and the Masterworks Chorus.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at St. Anne Catholic Church, Pleasant Prairie, and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Eaton Chapel, Beloit College.
Cost: Tickets are not required, but a free-will offering will be taken.
The show must go on.
On Friday, the Beloit Janesville Symphony announced it was canceling the last concert of the season, a performance of Verdi's "Requiem."
Later that same day, Beloit College's Choral Director Susan Rice made her own announcement.
"We are going to continue our rehearsals and perform this choral masterpiece at the end of April with all the soloists," said Rice in a news release. "The only thing missing, regrettably, will be the orchestra."
The Beloit Janesville Symphony board decided to cancel the final concert of the season—and the July 4th concerts in Beloit and Janesville—for financial reasons, according to Executive Director Roddie Beaudoin. The symphony's endowment has suffered because of a downturn in the stock market. Business sponsorships have dropped off, too.
Canceling the last concert of the season will strengthen the organization's position for next year, Beaudoin said.
But for the 160-plus singers from UW-Parkside and the Masterworks Chorus, the decision was a disappointment.
The Masterworks Chorus is made up of Beloit College students and members of the community. They have been rehearsing since January.
"We've worked too hard to let it go," said Ron Nief, a member of the Masterworks Chorus and Beloit College's director of public affairs.
Nief described the piece as "challenging."
"It's a tremendous piece, one you don't get to perform very often," Nief said.
Pianist Lannette Calhoun, who has been rehearsing with the Masterworks Chorus will accompany the group, as will the rehearsal pianist at UW-Parkside. .
Nief doesn't expect the symphony's cancellation to cause hard feelings between the two groups, who have worked together before.
"It was a hard decision for them to make," Nief said. "In this economy, a lot of arts organizations are going to be scaling back."
Nief believes the decision will leave the symphony in better shape for next year.
"We've got a future," Nief said of the orchestra. "In fact, I'm going to a meeting next week to talk about next year's season."
Apr 1, 2009 at 8:57 a.m.
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Kudos to UW-Parkside and the Masterworks Chorus and their directors who, like almost all other musicians and artists in Rock County, have chosen to perform voluntarily for the love of their art and community regardless of financial considerations. Few realize the often large monetary investment necessary that often starts with just paying for the rights to use certain music or perform a particular show. Costs such as performance space, ticket printing, and more are very real while, in most surveys, the monetary return from the arts to a community almost always outstrips sporting events. Rock County has been blessed with a multitude of artists who continually and endlessly give of themselves for the betterment of all but those artists often receive little or no recognition and gratitude. It is these artists and musicians who give so freely of their talents who enrich our lives, who truly lift the arts, and who improve our sense of community. THANK AN ARTIST TODAY and then go enjoy the concert!
Mar 31, 2009 at 8:53 p.m.
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Well said Super Dave. The show must go on! Thanks to Sue and all the performers involved it will.
Mar 31, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
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Kudos to Susan Rice!! Can you imagine how many comments to this article there would be if some sporting event had been cancelled?!? Nothing wrong with sports, but come on people, support the local music scene!
Mar 31, 2009 at 12:04 p.m.
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What are the costs involved, and would it be possible to put the show on with a "volunteer" approach?
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