The Foothills Philharmonic Society is back with a show of light and dark.
“It’s exciting because everyone’s super stoked to do it, to keep growing and digging into an awesome repertoire,” said Tim Korthuis, society founder as well musical director for the Foothills Philharmonic Chorus and Chamber Chorus.
The show is named Chiaroscuro, Italian for light-dark and specifically referring to strong contrasts in art.
“We've got a lot of things about morning and night, life and death, and then the last big piece has five different movements,” Korthuis said. “It’s a beautiful French piece that will be part performed by the chorus then part by the chamber chorus.
“It’s a text based on a rose, because you’ve got beauty and then you’ve got the pain of the thorns."
The show takes place May 20 at the High River Full Gospel Church and May 21 at the Okotoks Alliance Church.
The Philharmonic Chorus, Korthuis explained, is the larger group, where the Chamber Chorus is a smaller group that performs a more advanced repertoire, the latter of which he sings in.
The pandemic did have a stifling effect on the choirs, but one Korthuis said they are rebounding from.
“There’s still a hesitance of people joining the groups so they’re a little smaller than they have been in the past,” he said.
“Right before COVID, the society was gearing up with this great plan. We had all these different ensembles and were kind of laying out a schedule where there would be an ensemble doing something, but this last year we had one (concert) at Christmas for the Chamber Chorus.”
Also making a comeback is the society’s Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform at the Alliance Church on June 15 under the conduction of musical director Terry Lee.
On the program will be classics such as Edwin Elgar’s Enigma, George Butterworth’s Banks of Green Willow and Carl Stamitz’ Flute Concerto.
“Just really interesting pieces that feel like spring,” said Lee, adding it is refreshing after the challenges of the pandemic.
“We had seasons we could rehearse together, then we had a few disappointments.”
This involved cancellations and false starts, as well as uncertainty during changing regulations.
“We had Beethoven’s Fifth ready to perform: we had done our dress rehearsal, and then COVID shut us down in March 2020,” Lee said.
“We did a string-only concert in the fall of 2020 and then it was just so complicated getting musicians together.”
Music, the conductor added, is absolutely essential.
“I forgot how badly I need activity, I need music, I need beauty in my life, and other people in my life to collaborate with,” Lee said.
“It’s part of what really makes life worth living.”
The May 20 concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at High River Full Gospel Church, and the May 21 concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Alliance Church.
Admission to Chiaroscuro is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.
Tickets are available at the door and online at www.footphil.com.
Ticket information for the orchestra’s concert is yet to be announced.
