New Works at New Festival

2019 Norwalk Choral Festival FREE CONCERT Wednesday, April 17, 2019 7:30pm Join us for the 2019 Norwalk Choral Festival on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30pm. This free concert features the Firelands Symphony Chorale, conductor Michael Shirtz, Norwalk High School Choir, and Carol Mason, director of NHS Choir.

The Firelands Symphony Chorale celebrates cultures influenced by the sounds of America’s musical influence of the 20th Century. From the introduction of Ragtime, Dixieland, swing, and blues, the jazz and modern influence of what has been called, “The Voice of Freedom” swept across a nation and around the world. America’s new sound developed the grand performances of stage and screen with tunes that have been passed down through generations, and are still revived and reintroduced to audiences today. The music generated the sounds of rock and roll, enhanced the spirit of gospel music, cultivated a whole new realm of singer songwriters, and advanced inspiring eras of composers and arrangers that crossed over to reflect multicultural music from around the world. Eventually the sounds of America embraced the songs of the world.

In this concert, the Symphony Chorale and Norwalk High School’s Select Choir present music that embodies those great musical styles developed in 20th Century. Then the two choirs combined to premier two of the movements from the Norwalk Choral Suite. The Suite uses jazz and blues, mixed with the musical traditions of Scotland, Hebrew poems, and world folk music for a stunning storyline that embraces multi-cultures, multi-nations, and multi-generations. Following this performance the combined choirs will end the concert with the beloved Rogers & Hammerstein tunes, You’ll Never Walk Alone and Climb Every Mountain...a perfect message for all ages as we enter into the spring season with graduations and celebrations of life journeys ahead. Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center Norwalk High School 350 Shady Lane Norwalk, OH Featuring: Michael Shirtz, Music Director and Conductor Firelands Symphony Chorale Carol Mason, Director of Norwalk High School Choir Norwalk High School Choir