Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale announces 2021-22 season

The Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale will celebrate its 62nd year with four Mainstage Concerts. The first, "A Pandemic Memorial Requiem," features Mozart's ethereal "Requiem" on Oct. 21. The performance will be a memorial tribute to those who died during the COVID pandemic.

The second Mainstage Concert on Dec. 18 will feature two Christmas Choral classics, "Ceremony of Carols" by Britten and "Christmas Cantata" by Pinkham. Entitled: "Voices Singing, Bells Ringing," the Chorale will be joined by Carillonneurs handbell ensemble performing seasonal favorites.

Mainstage Concert 3 on March 5, 2022, will showcase the talents of Cedar Rapids composers. It features the compositions of 11 area composers, including a Concert Chorale commission, "American Gothical Suite" by Robert Lindsey Nassif.

The final Mainstage Concert will be performed May 15, 2022, at the National Czech/Slovak Museum. Entitled "Mother Earth, Brother Sun, Sister Moon" it combines the Chorale with a jazz combo for a performance of Paul Winter's "Missa Gaia."

The Concert Chorale's annual Mardi Gras fundraiser will be held Feb. 26, 2022, at the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library.

In addition to its own concerts, the Chorale will perform with Orchestra Iowa on three occasions: Brucemorchestra, Holiday Pops and performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The Chorale will finish its season with performances of patriot selections in collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.

Singers wishing to join the Chorale are welcome and membership is free. Email your name, contact info, voice part and singing experience to crconcertchorale@gmail.com. You will receive a reply message from a Chorale representative shortly thereafter.