Gloria - VSO Chorus Concert

The VSO Chorus returns in full song with Gloria, John Rutter’s splendid three-movement piece for chorus, brass and organ featuring organist Mark Howe and VSO’s brass and percussion musicians. Written by Rutter in 1974, the Latin text of Gloria is based on the Ordinary of the Mass and, according to Rutter, is a “centuries-old challenge to the composer: exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns.” The remainder of this one-hour concert features brass ensemble, choral and organ works highlighting the vibrancy and range of the musical voice.

Program

Adam Gorb…A Little Tango Music

Tielman Susato…Four Dances, arr. Masahiro Shiraiwa

Frank Ticheli…“Belle” from Cajun Folk Songs

John David…You Are the New Day

James Mullholland…A Red, Red Rose

David Brunner…I Dream a World

Moses Hogan…Abide with Me

Robert Harris…Canticle: The Hungry Angels

J.S. Bach…Toccata in C Major

John Rutter…Gloria

Tickets: General seating single tickets are $15.

This concert is sponsored in part by the Robert De Cormier Fund.

Accessibility: for accessibility information, please contact Grace Spain at 802-864-5741 or at hello@vso.org.

COVID-19: Audiences are required to show proof of vaccination and ID upon entering venues. In addition, all audiences will be required to wear KN95 (or similar) masks for the entire period they are in the performance venues. VSO will provide KN95 masks to any audience member who needs it at no cost.

ABOUT José Daniel Flores-Caraballo

José Daniel Flores-Caraballo is a widely acclaimed conductor and musical director recognized for his artistry and integrity in stylistic performance of choral literature, his methodical and uncompromising approach to music learning, and his gifts as a patient and inspiring teacher. Flores-Caraballo brings that unique combination—along with an ambitious and energizing vision—to Albany Pro Musica as its Artistic and Executive Director, a position he has held since 2014. He has been the Director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus since 2015.

As a trained organist as well as a celebrated orchestral and choral conductor, Flores-Caraballo places strong emphasis on technical precision as the fundamental seed from which musical artistry can grow. Through Flores-Caraballo’s leadership, his choruses push the boundaries of choral performance and embrace challenging musical programming.

Flores-Caraballo also serves as Conductor-in-Residence at the University at Albany (SUNY). He has prepared choirs for prominent orchestral conductors, including Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bramwell Tovey, Stéphane Dèneve, and Kensho Watanabe of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Andrews Sill of the New York City Ballet, and David Alan Miller of the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

Flores-Caraballo came to the Capital Region from Vero Beach, Florida, where he was a musical force for more than a decade. There, he founded and directed three auditioned community choral groups that transformed the musical landscape in the Treasure Coast: the Atlantic Symphonic Chorus, the Atlantic Schola Cantorum, and the Atlantic Children’s Chorale. A native of Puerto Rico, Flores-Caraballo served as Dean of Academic Affairs at the Conservatory of Music in San Juan, and has led prize-winning school- and church-based choral programs in Puerto Rico and across the mainland United States. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Music with an emphasis on Choral and Instrumental Conducting from the Graduate Theological Foundation, a Master’s in Choral Conducting and Organ from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from the Conservatory of Music in San Juan.

Flores-Caraballo and his wife Dharma live in Saratoga Springs, New York.