CHIMACUM — The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County have joined a worldwide 100th birthday tribute to 20th century composer, conductor and educator Leonard Bernstein.
Local singers and players will present “Leonard Bernstein: A Centennial Celebration” at 3 p.m. today at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 45 Redeemer Way, in Chimacum. It presented the concert on Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 1111 Franklin St., Port Townsend.
Tickets are $15 at brownpapertickets.com, Crossroads Music in Port Townsend, or by suggested donation at the door.
The Leonard Bernstein Office in New York estimates that during a nearly two-year observance dedicated to the master’s life and work, at least 5,000 events on six continents either already have been held or are still in the works.
Chorus spring director Leslie Lewis said that the anniversary of the cultural titan’s birth was the reason behind her theme, but her programming grew from a desire to draw from both his concert repertoire such as “The Lark” and “Mass,” and from his theater compositions.
The most famous of these is “West Side Story,” which Lewis describes as “part of our American fabric,” but Bernstein’s body of work for the stage – whether musical, operetta or opera – includes other titles such as “Candide,” “Peter Pan,” “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue” and “Trouble in Tahiti.”
“We have members who enjoy both concert literature and lighter fare, so it’s great to include both in the same program,” Lewis said.
“I love the rhythmic interest in Bernstein’s compositions. They’re fun, interesting and infectious,” she continued.
She said she especially likes the songs from “Candide,” a 1956 operetta based on the 18th century novella by Voltaire.
“The songs run the gamut from playful and farcical to epic,” she said.
Longtime pianist and chorus accompanist Lisa Lanza said she was thrilled to be asked to play the spring concert with Lewis, especially when learning it was all Bernstein repertoire.
“I knew Leslie would put together a program that would include some lesser known songs as well as his familiar gems. So much of Bernstein’s music is full of rhythmic vitality and interesting harmonies,” Lanza said.
Even seasoned veterans of the chorus hadn’t sung much Bernstein music before, save songs from “West Side Story,” some of which were a must for these concerts.
Linda Atkins, president of the Community Chorus, said preparing this program has helped her realize the depth and breadth of Bernstein’s genius.
“It goes way beyond what I realized,” she said.
Lewis said mastering Bernstein’s difficult rhythms has been the biggest test for the choir. Bernstein, influenced by jazz as well as other musical forms, incorporated syncopation and varying time signatures in his compositions.
“We have everyone from veterans to newbies who do not necessarily read music, but by working together we’re achieving success,” Lewis said.
A favorite of many choristers is “Take Care of This House,” from the lesser-known musical “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.” The show focused on the first 100 years of White House residents — the presidents and their wives upstairs, and the slaves and later the help, downstairs.
It closed after just seven performances on Broadway in the bicentennial year of 1976, a time when people might not have been ready to face questions of race and class on the heels of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights era and the Watergate scandal.
Lewis said the poignant arrangement pairs the piece from “1600” with “My House,” from Bernstein’s “Peter Pan.” The chorus’ version of the medley is accompanied by Lanza and Maryann Tapiro on cello.
Another guest on the program is Mark Johnson, piano, who plays three songs, including “Overture to Candide,” in which he joins Lanza for the four-hand piece.
Also in the lineup are soloists soprano Sarah Moran, reprising “Glitter and Be Gay” from “Candide,” accompanied by Johnson, and baritone Blaine Lewis singing “A Simple Song” from “Mass,” accompanied by Dana Africa on flute and Lanza on piano.
In addition, several members of the chorus are featured in solo ensembles.
After directing nine spring seasons with the chorus, Lewis has announced that she is stepping down from the podium. She says she is not retiring, just reducing her commitments to allow more time for pursuits such as travel and genealogy.
“We’re going to miss her so much,” Atkins said; her fellow board members concur.
“It’s been a real joy to direct the Community Chorus,” Lewis said.
“And the chorus is in good hands — this past season, these 40-plus years, and into the future.”
Working toward a worthy, mutual goal, “we create something bigger than ourselves,” Lewis said.
“Thank you to the community of Port Townsend and Jefferson County for your support of choral music.”
For information about the chorus, visit ptchorus.org, call 360-385-1402 or check out the group’s Facebook page.
