2024-2025 – BEETHOVEN, BERNSTEIN & BEYOND
November 24, 2024, “Rhapsody of Thanks.” An eclectic program of beloved classical masterworks and modern compositions. Beethoven’s stirring Fantasy for Choir, Piano and Orchestra (op. 80), featuring renowned pianist Heidi Louise Williams, and his “Ode to Joy”, Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, IV. Presto-allegro assai. Soloists: Madison Roths, Soprano, Kate Bishop, Mezzo soprano, Adam Henning, Tenor, Logan Kenison, Baritone. Orchestral works by Aaron Copland (Variations on a Shaker Medley-Appalachian Spring) and Florence Price (String Quartet in G, II. Andante Moderato). Inspiring seasonal works by Copland (The Promise of Living, from The Tender Land), Sir John Rutter (For the Beauty of the Earth), and Mack Wilberg (Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing) rounded out the program.
January 26, 2025. Unity 18: “We Are Phoenix” CANCELLED. The closure of FSU Campus and Ruby Diamond Concert Hall due to the Snow/Ice storm of 2025 caused this concert to be cancelled.
April 27, 2025, “Psalms for the Soul.” A choral exploration of the Psalms featuring three works: Psalm 42, Op. 42, Wie der Hirsch schreit, Felix Mendelssohn; Symphony of Psalms, Igor Stravinsky; and Chichester Psalms, Leonard Bernstein. Soloists (Mendelssohn & Bernstein): Madison Roths, Soprano, Katherine Ann Ledbetter, Mezzo soprano, Adam Henning, Tenor; Colby White, Tenor (Mendelssohn); Sebastian Quintero, Baritone; Ethan Murphy, Bass (Mendelssohn); and Naomi Asher, Soprano/Youth (Bernstein).
2023-2024 – CONCERT SEASON
November 19, 2023, ELIJAH. Felix Mendelssohn’s greatest oratorio, with Chorus, Orchestra, and featuring soloists: Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone, Elijah; Ye Ji Lee, soprano; Leah Shewmaker, Mezzo-soprano; Adam Henning, tenor; Maclain Hardin-Kurza, Sarita Olson-Gustely, and Annika Stucky, trio; Kiára King, youth.
January 28, 2024, Unity 17: Sounds of Cinema, Celebrating Tallahassee’s Bicentennial! Featuring live, dramatic historical readings performed by actors from Theater With a Mission, Ben Gunter, Director. Theater With a Mission also engaged patrons in period dances in the lobby before the concert and during intermission. Chorus and Orchestra performed: Tallahassee, Frank Loesser; Theme from Jurassic Park, John Williams; Dry Your Tears Afrika (from Amistad), John Williams; 007: Through the Years, arr. Stephen Bulla; Hymn to the Fallen (from Saving Private Ryan), John Williams; Pirates of the Caribbean (medley), Klaus Badelt, arr. Ted Ricketts; Somewhere in My Memory (from Home Alone, 1990), John Williams, Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse; How to Train Your Dragon Suite, John Powell, arr. Sean O’Loughlin; Duel of the Fates (from Star Wars, Episode 1, The Phantom Menace), John Williams. The concert concluded with the premiere of a new work celebrating Tallahassee, Surrounded, Text by Terri Carrion, Music by Nico Gutierrez.
April 28, 2024: Nelson Mass. The season concluded with Franz Joseph Haydn’s most popular work, Missa in Angustiis, or Mass for Troubled Times, featuring soloists: Anne Elise Teeling, soprano; Leah Shewmaker, mezzo-soprano;Kelby Yoder, tenor; Marcus Jerrell Ruff, baritone. Also featured were Haydn’s Te Deum Laudamus; and Chariot Jubilee, by R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943) (ed. Jason Max Ferdinand), DeSean Stokes, tenor, soloist.
2022-2023 – 35TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
November 20, 2022, “Jubilation!” Solomon (HWV 67), Act III, Sinfonia (“Entrance of the Queen of Sheba”) performed by The Tallahassee Community Chorus Orchestra; Zadok the Priest, G.,F. Handel (Chorus & Orchestra); Water Music Suite No, 1 in F Major (HWV 348), Music for Royal Fireworks (HWV 351), both by G.F. Handel (Orchestra); My Heart is Inditing (HWV 261), G.F. Handel (Chorus, Soli & Orchestra); Water Music Suite No. 2 in D Major (HWV 349), G.F. Handel (Orchestra); The King Shall Rejoice (HWV 260), G.F. Handel (Chorus & Orchestra); Coronation Mass in C Major (KV 317), W.A. Mozart (Chorus, Soli & Orchestra). Soloists: Anne Elise Teeling, Soprano; Mary Botter, Alto; Eric Boylan, Tenor; Jonah Capani, Bass.
January 29, 2023, Unity 16: “Repair the Future”. Lift Every Voice for Freedom, arr. Moses Hogan, Narration: “Oh to be the Dream” by Quintavias King, read by Nicole Davis; Shed a Little Light, James Taylor, arr. Greg Jasperse, Soloist, Corey Sullivan (Tallahassee Community Chorus). Guest Choir: Florida A&M University Concert Choir, Dr. Mark Butler, Conductor, Dr. Joanna Sobkowska-Parsons, Accompanist. Performing: Chosen, by Mark Butler; La Rose Complete and Dirait-On, from Les Chanson des Roses, by Morten Lauridsen; Soon Ah’ Will be Done/I Wanna Die Easy, arr. Craig Hella Johnson; The Prayer/Amen, Mark Butler/P. Lutkin, arr. Mark Butler. Combined Choirs, Performing: WEATHER, text by Claudia Rankine, music by Rollo Dilworth, conducted by Dr. Rollo Dilworth; We Shall Overcome, arr. Tesfa Wondemagenehu, conducted by: Rollo Dilworth, Michael Hanawalt & Mark Butler; soloist, Alexander Williams.
April 30, 2023, SPRING: CARMINA BURANA, Carl Orff. Soloists: Anne Elise Teeling, Soprano; Eric Boylan, Tenor; Cole Bellamy, Baritone.
2021-2022 – A NEW REFRAIN!
November 21, 2021, “A New Created World,” performing The Creation, by Franz Joseph Haydn. Soloists: Ye Ji Lee, Soprano (Gabriel); Matthew Youngblood, Tenor (Uriel); Marques Jerrell Ruff, Bass (Raphael); ScJarlett Ossorio, Soprano (Eve); Robert Bukovic, Baritone (Adam).
January 30, 2022, Unity 16: “Repair the Future” – Postponed to 2023 due to pandemic.
April 24, 2022, Spring: “I Shall Give Peace,” performing Deep Peace, by Elaine Hagenberg; Carmina Pax, by Z. Randall Stroope; Dona Nobis Pacem, by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Soloists: Marcia Porter, Soprano; Evan T. Jones, Baritone.
2020-2021 – PANDEMIC-VIRTUAL SEASON
Due to COVID-19, all in-person performances were cancelled for this season and the Chorus held weekly rehearsals virtually via zoom. New music was learned, educational presentations were made by our graduate students and we visited virtually with several of our alumni from all over the U.S. We sang some of the pieces learned at a Spring 2021 outside in-person rehearsal, and presented a virtual performance of Troy Robertson’s “How Can I Keep From Singing” on our You Tube channel.
2019-2020 – WELCOMING NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DR. MICHAEL HANAWALT
November 17, 2019 “Majestic Mozart” Requiem in D minor, W. A. Mozart, with Veni Sancte Spritus, Ave Verum Corpus, Regina Coeli, and Te Deum laudamus. Soloists: Marcía Porter, soprano; Sahoko Sato Timpone, alto; Chuck Chandler, tenor; Evan T. Jones, bass.
January 26, 2020 “Voices of Light” performing Voices of Light, by Richard Einhorn, as live accompaniment to “The Passion of Joan of Arc” a 1928 silent film masterpiece by Carl Dreyer. With the FSU Women’s Glee ensemble. Soloists: Lily Guerrero, soprano; Allison Stokes, mezzo-soprano; Ajit Persaud, tenor; Jack Chandler, bass.
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2018-2019 – CELEBRATING THE FINAL SEASON OF DR. ANDRE THOMAS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
November 18, 2018: “Exultation!” Magnificat in D major, J.S. Bach; selections from Messiah, George Frideric Handel
January 14, 2019: Unity 14: Celebrating the Arts in Education! with five guest school choirs, each performing works of their choosing. Major work: Song of Democracy, Howard Hanson
February 19, 2019, Kansas City, MO. American Choral Directors Association National Conference (by invitation): Alzheimer’s Stories, Robert Cohen & Herschel Garfein; Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy, Andre J. Thomas (world premiere)
April 13, 2019: “Tribute!” (with FSU choirs performing works of Andre Thomas, and University Symphony Orchestra) I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, C. Hubert H. Parry; Until I Reach My Home, Brandon Boyd (world premiere); Zadok the Priest, George Frideric Handel; I Dream a World, Andre Thomas; Beautiful City, Andre Thomas, Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy, Andre Thomas (Southeastern Premiere)
2017-2018 – 30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
November 19, 2017: Psalm 42, Felix Mendelssohn; Five Mystical Songs, Ralph Vaughan Williams. Guest Conductor: Dr. Anton Armstrong
December 1-2, 2017: FSU College of Music, Seasonal Celebration
January 27, 2018: UNITY 13: SING FOR JOY! Not Forgotten, Mark Butler (premiere); Jubilate Deo, Dan Forrest.
April 29, 2018: A White House Cantata, Leonard Bernstein
2016-2017
November 20, 2016: O FORTUNA! Polovetsian Dances, Alexander Borodin; Carmina Burana, Carl Orff
December 2-3, 2016: FSU College of Music, Seasonal Celebration
January 28, 2017: UNITY 12~Praise & Redemption-the power of song. With FSU Jazz Ensemble & Leon Anderson. Sanctus, André Thomas; Sacred Concerts (selections), Duke Ellington
April 30, 2017: AN EVENING OF BACH, with the Tallahassee Bach Parley. St. John Passion, Johann Sebastian Bach.
June 2017: LIMERICK SINGS! INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL, Limerick, Ireland. Jubilate Deo, Dan Forrest (European premiere).
2015-2016
Sunday, November 15, 2015: Haydn: The Creation
December 4-5, 2015, FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration
Saturday, January 23, 2016:UNITY 11 CONCERT Sing for the Cure®: A Proclamation of Hope
Sunday, April 24, 2016:Two Sacred Works Schubert: Mass in E Flat Poulenc: Gloria
2014-2015
November 16, 2014: Bernstein: Mass
December 6-7, 2014: FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration with FSU Choruses
January 24, 2015: Unity 10: Celebrating Martin L King, Jr., Nelson Mandela & Ghandi
with FSU Choruses
April 26, 2015: Mendelssohn: Elijah
June 2015: ROME CHORAL FESTIVAL, Rome, Italy. Songs of Faith, Paul Basler; Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen; I Dream a World, Beautiful City, If You’re Happy, Amen, André Thomas.
2013-2014
November 17, 2013: Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass & Dvorak: Te Deum
December 7-8, 2013: FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration with FSU Choruses
January 25, 2014: Unity 9: Alzheimer’s Stories ~ with FSU Choruses
April 27, 2014: Great American Choral Works – Aaron Copland, Randall Thompson, William Billings & Howard Hanson and many more!
2012-2013 ~ 25th Silver Anniversary Season
November 18, 2012: Missa Solemnis – Beethoven
December 1 – 2, 2012: FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration with FSU Choruses
January 26, 2013: Unity 8: Music of Andre J. Thomas ~ with FSU Choruses
April 28, 2013: Great Mass in C Minor – Mozart
July 2013: PARIS CHORUS FESTIVAL, Paris & Normandy, France. Requiem, Gabriel Faure; Chichester Psalms, Leonard Bernstein; Someday is Today & Beautiful City, André Thomas.
2011-2012
November 22, 2011: Carmina Burana – Carl Orff
December 6, 2011: FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration
January 28, 2012: Unity 7: Songs of Faith – Paul Basler. With guest choirs: St. John’s Episcopal Church Choristers & Adult Choir, Bo’u Nashir; Faith Presbyterian Chuch Chancel Choir; swaravAhini; Triple A
April 22, 2012: Stabat Mater – Gioachino Rossini
2010-2011
November 21, 2010: Requiem – W. A. Mozart and Chichester Psalms – Leonard Bernstein
November 30, 2010: FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration
January 20, 2011: Unity 6: Celebrating Diversity. Italian Street Song (from Naughty Marietta) – Victor Herbert; Come Sunday – Duke Ellington; What a Wonderful World – Bob Thiele, George Davis Weiss. With special guests: Carla Connors, Pam Laws, Del Suggs & Leon Anderson Jazz Trio
February 10, 2011: An Evening of English Choral Music with Simon Halsey
April 16, 2011: Requiem – Giuseppe Verdi
July 2011: PRAGUE CHORAL FESTIVAL, Prague, Czech Republic. Chichester Psalms, Leonard Bernstein; Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
2009-2010
November 22, 2009: Elijah – Felix Mendelssohn
December 1, 2009: FSU College of Music Seasonal Celebration
January 23, 2010: Unity 5 – Soul of America. Featuring Afro-American Suite: A Song of Freedom – Raymond Wise
April 11, 2010: Mass in C and Choral Fantasy – Ludwig van Beethoven
2008-2009
November 23, 2008: Requiem and Quatre Motets – Maurice Duruflé
January 24, 2009: Unity Concert – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – A tribute to Mr. Rogers. Special guest Mrs. JoAnne Rogers, widow of Mr. Fred Rogers.
April 19, 2009: The Creation – Franz Joseph Haydn
2007-2008
Celebrating Our 20th Gala Anniversary
November 18, 2007: Messiah – George Frideric Handel
January 25, 2008: Unity Concert – Salute to the Armed Forces – featuring Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom with words of Thomas Jefferson
April 19, 2008: Ein Deutsches Requiem – Johannes Brahms
2006-2007
November 19, 2006: Judas Maccabaeus – George Frideric Handel
January 23, 2007: Unity in Song – Joined by the Choirs of Chiles, Leon, and Lincoln High Schools
April 21, 2007: Gloria – Francis Poulenc and Old American Songs – Aaron Copland. Joined by University Singers and members of the University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Alexander Jiménez
July 8-18, 2007: Beijing International Choral Festival. Gloria – Francis Poulenc and Old American Songs – Aaron Copland
2005-2006
November 19, 2005: Hymns of Faith
January 17, 2006: Unity in the Community
April 22, 2006: Light Eternal: Lux Aeterna – Morten Lauridsen and Requiem – Gabriel Fauré
2004-2005
October 9, 2004: Credo – Composed and Conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki
November 21, 2004: An Evening of Handel
April 25, 2005: An Evening of Walt Whitman – featuring Dona Nobis Pacem – Ralph Vaughan Williams and Song of the Open Road – Norman Dello Joio. Guest conductors: Dr. Judy Bowers and Dr. Kevin Fenton
2003-2004
October 28, 2003: King David – Arthur Honegger
March 30, 2004: Lord Nelson Mass – Franz Joseph Haydn (Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY)
April 24, 2004: Lord Nelson Mass – Franz Joseph Haydn