Sierra Master Chorale Testimonials
Read what others are saying about Sierra Master Chorale!
What the audience is saying about the 2011 Holiday concert:
My – What a magnificent performance! The Misa Criolla was so well directed that I would swear the choir was from Argentina, the inflections so natural. Thank you for giving all of us such wonder!
~ Mary Jane ReeseThis was the best yet. I loved the percussion right up front. Unusual selection of music that was breathtaking.
~ Pat Barrantine
What a wonderful, beautiful program today. I think everyone loved it and was amazed at the complexity and beauty of the music. Thank you so much for all you all do and for the chorale as well.
~ Ed Thomas
InConcert Sierrans – That was a stunning concert today. I was simultaneously delighted and moved by the music, performances and spirit. Thanks so much. Can’t wait for the next one.
~ Sandra Rockman
The concert last night was a spiritual experience – sitting between a choir and an audience, the vibes were going through me in waves, and it was all wonderful!
~ Aileen James
We so enjoyed the smooth blend of voices and thought the third piece with the South American overtones was marvelous. Hats off to all of you, and to Ken… his easy banter was upbeat and educational.
~ Jeanne & George Scarmon:
Hey – we really enjoyed today’s choral concert and are REALLY looking forward to the Mass for Peace in the Spring – sounds amazing and the sentiment is right on! The variety on today’s program was very well received by us – we like the departure from the old Christmas songs…Thanks and be sure to thank Ken…
~ Elly and John Gould
The Sierra Master Chorale was, again, magnificent! I truly loved almost every piece, each one very difficult. The choir seemed very enthusiastic and happy to be singing under your direction, Ken. Thank you for a memorable afternoon!
~ Joan and Brian Unter
The concert on Sunday was wonderful – what a mix of new things to ponder and old tunes in which to revel! Bravo to all involved!
~ Sue Vardon
The sound was glorious wherever I stood…upstairs or down. You were great. (Fortunately, paying attention to my job of photographing the concerts overpowered the urge to be a sing-along audience of one.)
~ Fred Hall
I’m working on the recording of our concerts and just got finished listening to both performances of Herself a Rose, my favorite of our shorter pieces. Both were absolutely stunning. It brought tears to my eyes. I am so proud to be part of this chorale!
~ Steve Nicholson
From our other holiday concerts:
In our eleven years here, we have never attended a more skilled and enjoyable Christmas performance! Period. Congratulations and thank you for your great passion and talent. It was the first time we heard the Lux Aeterna, and it was sublime! … Bonnie Hampton and Gary Quehl
We just got home from Master Chorale’s afternoon concert, and we just had to write you to thank you for a glorious and heavenly afternoon! We loved the choices of your music, and the chorus sounded WONDERFUL. What amazing control the singers have of their lovely instruments! I felt transported to a timeless world of joy and beauty. Even the trees we watched through the windows during Lux Eterna seemed to be responding to the beauty of the music… Janet Rossman
I just want to let you know what an outstanding, excellent concert you presented this afternoon. Your choir is so special and the addition of that extremely talented brass ensemble and Paul Perry made the afternoon a great and memorable experience. Thank you.
~Sue Nepstead (volunteer)
The concert was fabulous! From an adult perspective – it was gorgeous, moving and peaceful – all at the same time. My grandchildren talked about it all the way home – We’ll be back next year! Have a great Christmas!
~Judy Hess
What an event. It was over the top. The best concert we have ever attended. Everything was perfect; voices were magnificent, the brass sparkled and Paul added a beautiful organ.
I could tell several times that the choral could hear their voices, because I could see smiling faces during the concert. They knew they were in the groove.
What a way to start the Holiday Season,
~Harlow Rothert
The excellent concert really increased our quotient of holiday cheer! Kudos to Ken!
Enjoy your well-earned Christmas merriment!
~Gayle Denney
What a glorious gift of incredible music you continue to give to our community. The two concerts were breath-taking. I think most of us thought we had died and gone to heaven with the Rutter Gloria.
~Marion Culhane
From our spring concerts:
I was deeply moved by the Master Chorale concert Sunday evening. I don’t know how it could have been more beautifully performed. I wished that we could have just sat in meditation for the next hour when the last note sounded. I felt interiorly that I was inside an enormous cathedral and had no boundaries to my body. I just kept expanding higher and further out. It was an extraordinary experience and an extraordinary event.
~Marion Culhane
Ken, What an amazing concert yesterday! You outdid yourself. I loved the interesting selections and the variety. And the performance was stellar. I noticed that the audience was absolutely silent for both performances…no fidgeting…no rustling of candy wrappers…no coughing. And I especially noted during the afternoon concert that the audience waited to cough during the pause between movements on the Requiem. That says a lot about the quality of the performance in my book. And the strings and brass sounded fantastic.
In the past, I have not been a choral music fan, but I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the performance twice yesterday. It was exciting and moving. And that’s what it’s all about in the end, right?
~Monroe Lovelady
Just a note to let you know how much Jim and I enjoyed last Sunday’s concert. It was truly magnificent and we commend Ken and the choir
and the orchestra on a wonderful afternoon. THANK YOU,
~Mary and Jim Stradinger
From our choral members:
I’m working on the recording of our concerts and just got finished listening to both performances of Herself a Rose, my favorite of our shorter pieces. Both were absolutely stunning. It brought tears to my eyes. I am so proud to be part of this chorale!
~ Steve Nichols, baritone
I’m thankful for InConcert Sierra and all the positive ways it impacts me and my community.
~ Steve Nichols, baritone
I wanted to let you know that my father in law said it was the best concert that he’s heard us sing and that it was a fantastic concert! He loved it, and so did the rest of my family. Coming from my father in law, it means a lot and it’s a huge compliment. He sang with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus under John Oliver when he went to MIT. Anyways, it’s the highest compliment!
I really enjoy singing with our group and seeing us get better and better.
Best,
~Darren Barr-Engstrom, baritone
Our singing experience on May 2 was one of the most satisfying choral performances for
me ever. I can/could feel the connection between you, me and everyone. And one of my
church friends who attended volunteered that she felt that sync as well. She had heard and
sang in other Faure Requiems and she thought this one was the best. And she is fairly
critical.After the first performance, an elderly man approached me who I did not know as I was
sitting and adding the Tenor money totals, and he said this was one of the best choral
concerts he had heard. I thanked him, and then he said ” I hope you just keep singing and
singing”.
~David Bess, tenor
Thank you, for another exhilarating evening of beautiful music. Boy! There were SO many moments! What fun, what excellence……..
~Sarah Pressler, soprano
It was a great concert and we are so pleased and grateful to sing with all
of you. I think a major element in our sound is that there is a deep bond
between Ken Hardin and us and between each of us, the bond of putting our
hearts into something we really love. The power of that is not felt in most
of our daily activities, and when it is present the results go beyond our
imaginations.The music is still in our heads and it sounds great!
Regards,
~John and Valarie Bush, tenor/alto
I could go on for some time about how amazing this group is and we really owe it all to Ken. Ken is a master at picking out music that is people pleasing. The audiences are all saying what wonderful concerts we are giving….and how enjoyable it is to listen to beautiful music. Not only is Ken so very skillful at choosing music for our group….it is wonderful for us to continually be able to ‘raise the bar’ and learn new and varied pieces. This is the best group I have ever preformed with…EVER!
~Vicki Goss, alto
I, too, was very moved by the men’s voices*; so beautiful. What a night! It truly felt like the chorus, orchestra and Ken were one entity– something I think we all dream of doing! The lovely Requiem is still floating through my head. My friends, students from Sierra College Art department, were thrilled and impressed with the quality of the show.
~Sue Clark, alto
From the Musicians:
The evening concert was a thrill to play (for me), really a “pinnacle” performance on the Gloria from the brass. One of the recording guys stopped me on the way out with a slackened jaw. He said it was one of the most amazing things he had heard.
~Joe Siemers, Trumpet
Ken, What a fantastically beautiful Faure Requiem you and your singers performed today. It was a delight to be there, and a joy to hear that precious music conducted so musically. That was most satisfying.
~Alan Clark, cello
Ken, I too thought the concert was exceptional. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed the Faure more! You are doing a great job with the chorale and hopefully, with Julie’s expert help, TCCA will survive this economic climate and thrive.
~Nancy Hill, violin
Dear Ken and Sierra Master Chorale,
It was truly an honor to direct the Sierra Master Chorale yesterday. I truly appreciate your giving me the opportunity to help make music. I can see a good future with this group under your leadership, and I’ve seen a lot of growth over the past year. Throughout the concert, I soaked in the lyric qualities of the tenors, especially in the Requiem. It was a good day! Thanks again,
~Don Baggett (guest conductor)
