Folio Magazine - May 4, 2004 - Art Box
by Michael Lipp

two fers
A FIRST-TIME JOINT PERFORMANCE UNITES LOCAL CHORALES IN AN EXAMINATION OF JOHN RUTTER WORKS

"Make new tracks together, walk hand-in-hand ... the paths that we must tread lie side-by-side."  The words from John Rutter's "Let's Begin Again" are appropriate as the Jacksonville Masterworks Chorale and the Orange Park Chorale present a joint concert of Rutter's works on Thursday and Friday, May 15 and 16 at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, respectively.  The combined group of more than 60 singers will perform Rutter's Requiem as the centerpiece of a program that includes four shorter Rutter works sung by the two individual group -- "Look at the World" and "O Clap Your Hands" by the JMC and "The Music's Always There With You" and "Let's Begin Again" by the OPC.  The Requiem will be performed with orchestra, while the shorter works will feature JMC and OPC accompanists, Dan Francabandiero and Diane Combs, respectively.

The directors of the ensembles, Dr. Mark Stallings (JMC) and Dr. Carole Clifford (OPC) will literally "share the baton" during the performance.  Stallings conducts the first half of the Requiem, while Clifford takes the podium for the second half.

"I think the different conductors will be the greatest challenge for the choir, in adjusting to gestures, styles and movements," sys Stalling.  "The music should be solid prior to our combined rehearsals, then they will have to adjust to the orchestral accompaniment and the acoustical sound of the venues.  Overall, these are fine musicians who will rise to the occasion, I'm sure.

As for joining forces, Clifford says it's a dream realized.  "One of my goals, since founding the OPC 10 years ago, is to have both community and college choral groups form a choral collegium that will strengthen all of us in our community musical efforts.  A collegium would help us in various areas, like repertoire planning, concert schedules and marketing.  I approached Mark with the idea of the collegium, as well as a shared program, in 2003.  This concert is the fruit of that first discussion, and it is my hope that this collaboration between the OPC and JMC is the first step toward making the collegium a reality."