Choral Arts Society of Utah Presents A Spring Concert

   The Choral Arts Society of Utah, Sterling Poulson, Music Director, is once again partnering with the University of Utah School of Music, under the direction of Dr. Barlow Bradford, Director of Choral Activities, and the Ellen Neilson Barnes Presidential Endowed Chair for Choral Studies. Graduate students in this program are afforded the opportunity to work with our 100-voice choir in the preparation and presentation of required choral recitals.      
    This year’s spring concert features a recital prepared by Brett Rasmussen. The concert features Bob Chilcott’s “A Little Jazz Mass,” composed for the 2004 Crescent City Choral Festival in New Orleans.  Writer John Bawden describes it best: “A relaxed, easy tempo Kyrie is followed by a Gloria with driving, upbeat outer sections enclosing a lyrical central section.  The music of the Sanctus could be described as a ‘jazz lullaby’; The Benedictus ups the tempo a little, building to a strong forte for the ‘Hosanna’. Clearly inspired by the blues, the Agnus Dei reaches a powerful climax at ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ before arriving at a peaceful conclusion.  It says much for Chilcott’s skill that he has successfully brought together two very diverse traditions – the Latin mass and the jazz idiom – in such an expressive and entirely unforced way.” The concert also features exciting choral arrangements by Dr. Barlow Bradford and Mack Wilberg.    
    Brett Wayne Rasmussen is a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Utah. He holds a Master of Music degree from the same university, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music (with a double major in psychology) from Brigham Young University. He served as Music Director of Timpanogos Chorale from 2009 to 2014. He is also the conductor of the chorus at Stadium of Fire, the annual Independence Day Celebration in Provo, Utah. Before that, he guest-conducted the Millennium Chorus in performances of Lex de Azevedo's oratorios Hosanna and Gloria, and the patriotic program Hymn to America. One of Brett's most cherished musical experiences was conducting the University of Utah A Cappella Choir in Leonard Bernstein's anti-war work Chichester Psalms. Brett comes from Woodbridge, Virginia and currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. 
     Members of the Choral Arts Society of Utah volunteer their time and talents to provide quality performances, many of which benefit schools and organizations providing humanitarian services to the local area.  We wish to thank the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, our major sponsor for this event.