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An Extraordinary Choral Event
The award-winning chorale Exsultate! presents “Poetry! Words in Search of a Song” on Sunday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Grace United Methodist Church sanctuary on Venice Island, 400 E. Field Avenue.
Exsultate! is a not-for-profit secular organization based in Venice. Now in its eleventh season, the choral group strives to provide experiences that are varied, unusual, demanding, and beautiful.
This last of three concerts of the season will be extraordinary. The program includes “Frostiana”, a collection of Robert Frost poems set to music by Randall Thompson. Featured will be works of nationally renowned composer Dr. David Brunner, who will be present at the concert.
The highlight will be two Brunner compositions specially commissioned for this performance with grants from The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and the Woman’s Exchange Inc. of Sarasota.
The Exsultate! Board of Directors selected Dr. Brunner, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, to assist in its quest to expand choral performance literature.
Dr. Brunner consequently chose to compose the two new pieces as additions to three of his already published works based upon Wendell Berry’s poetry. The new compositions are drawn from Berry’s A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems, 1979-1997. Newly set to music are "The Timbered Choir", which reflects the clean lines and singing tones of Brunner’s style, and “The Peace of Wild Things".
Exsultate! Artistic Director and Conductor Stephen Johns said, “We encourage our local arts community to seize this opportunity made possible by the Sarasota County granting organizations that recognized its significance. What a thrill it will be for our superb chorale to present the premiere performance of the new creations with Dr. Brunner himself in the audience, and to pass the baton to him as conductor of the grand finale for this season!”
Plans are also under way for Dr. Brunner to hold a master class open to the public on Saturday, April 13.
Individual concert tickets are $17 or $5 for students. They may be purchased at the door, at the Paper Pad in Venice, online, or by calling 484-8491. Discounted group rates of $12.50 each for 10-19 tickets, $10 each for 20 and up are available. Call or see www.exsultate.org to learn more.