Gay Men’s Chorus starting the year with a cabaret

“Comfort and Joy”
washington master chorale
Sunday, Dec. 22, 5 p.m.
epiphany church
1317 G St., NW
washingtonmastercoral.org

With its warmth and free imagination, it’s no wonder the Washington Master Chorale’s perennially popular winter programs remain a holiday favorite.

In December of this year, the Washington Master Chorale (WMC), directed by Artistic Director Thomas Colohan, will perform British and American songs such as “The Lute’s Lullaby,” “I Saw Three Ships,” and “Puel Natus.” He will perform “Comfort and Joy”, which was carefully selected from his works. Hosanna to the Son of David by Samuel Scheidt and Orlando Gibbons.

In addition to these Christmas classics, WMC will feature 2022 Florence Price Commission award winner Mason Bynes’ “Effiantide” as well as Arctic explorers Charles Francis Hall and Fridtjof Nansen’s direct We will be performing “Aurora” by Eric Eschenwaltz, which depicts the story and their experiences surrounding the legendary aurora borealis.

Described as “reverent and beautiful” by Northern Lights tenor soloist Opal Clyburn Miller, “Comfort and Joy” combines drama, happiness, and an import of light.

And as an artist who uses they/them pronouns, Clyburn-Miller says that when it comes to classical music, “people seem to get stuck in their boxes and stay there.” They further added: It’s almost a traditional art form. ”

As for their careers, Clyburn Miller, a student at the Baltimore-based Peabody Conservatory of Music, said work usually comes by word of mouth. “If you come, you’re a good colleague and people want to work with you again.”

Colohan says the solo is a perfect fit for Cliburn-Miller. To this the soloist replies: “Maybe I have the imagination to think about what the Northern Lights look like in Eastern Europe. I’ve never been that far north, but I find myself in that sense of wonder and amazement. You can.”

But this show wasn’t without its tests. The lyrics are in Latvian, a new language for the meticulous singer.

“It was a little difficult to defeat the Latvians,” they say. “In my singing experience, it’s usually German, Italian, French, and I’m used to Spanish and some Hungarian and Russian, but this is completely new.”

The perfect chorale venue must have easy parking. Good acoustics. Concert quality Steinway and excellent organ. A sanctuary large enough to accommodate a 50-person choir. And Korohan says the restrooms are audience-friendly.

Epiphany Church meets most if not all of these requirements.

Colohan was raised Catholic in Richmond and studied at the progressive Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. Around this time, he remembers visiting Washington for a music educators’ conference and partying at J.R.’s, Badlands, and other bars. he says: “I discovered that there was a huge population of clean-cut gay boys living in Washington, D.C., and that journey that started with me being gay inspired me to ask questions.”

Colohan, who has been WMC’s artistic director since 2009 and lives in Silver Spring with his partner, has become increasingly interested in secular poetry and literature, especially how it intersects with choral music. It has become. For him, it became the core of the art form.

“My secular approach is broader than others. I’m like a museum curator who goes into the basement and brings in materials. If we don’t sing, we won’t hear the music.”

He remains conservative in aesthetics, but not in spirit. “I don’t turn into a crazy right-winger when I wear a blazer. Spiritually speaking, I’m now a Zen Buddhist.”

Many of the concerts are about darkness and light. “In ancient times, when the world became dark, the days leading up to the summer solstice were frightening, but on the 22nd we saw the days getting longer and brighter,” says Colohan.

“Comfort and Joy” ends with a candlelit chorale singing the memorable “Silent Night.”