The Roger Anderson Chorale will collaborate with the Grossmont String Quintet and the Performing Arts Workshop of Encinitas at the White Box Theatre in Liberty Station, 2590 Truxton Road, Studio 205, at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 2 p.m. on Jan. 20 for the first of RAC’s free concerts for the 2019 season, titled “Dancing in the Dark.”
Emily Miller, the director of the Performing Arts Workshop, met Anderson in the sixth grade where he taught flute. After childhood, Miller worked as a dancer and a choreographer in both Chicago and New York. Upon returning to San Diego’s vibrant dance community, she took over PAW’s teaching studio in Encinitas. She started her own dance company Get Down / Pick Up as well as dancing with other groups such as LITVAK. Miller will be creating choreography for 12 of the chorale’s songs, which will include African, Latin and tango rhythms.
The Grossmont String Quintet played with RAC for its inaugural season in 2017. GSQ is made up of the principal string players from the Grossmont Community College Symphony. Alyze Dreiling, violist, states that the group has a very popular and successful string workshop for high school students in East County. In “Dancing in the Dark,” GSQ will accompany the chorale and dancers as well as having a solo section where they will play a quintet by Ferdinand Ries, a student and friend of Johann Van Beethoven. Many of the singers in RAC come from Anderson’s previous connections in San Diego’s community of chorales and music educators. Anderson’s experiences include music director of churches in Rancho Bernardo, Point Loma, Carmel Valley and the San Elijo Chorale. Many children – now adults – have had the privilege of learning under Anderson’s tutelage as the band director at Rincon Middle School in Escondido. In starting the North County chorale in 2016, Anderson wanted to introduce today’s audiences to the young composers of our time. The majority of RAC’s choral selections are composed by people in their 30s and 40s. Their choral music explores aspects of our humanity and spirituality through connectivity. RAC’S international selections will include songs from Eriks Esenvalds (b. 1977 Lativia); Ola Gjeilo (b. 1778 Norway); Daniel Elder (b. 1986 USA); and Christopher Tin (b. 1976 USA). Anderson’s concerts always include themes of unity through diversity. The chorale, the quintet and dancers coincide with their desire to reach today’s modern audience through their joy in performing. Dreiling states that all audiences need to bring with them to enjoy today’s classical music are their ears, and an open heart and mind. All ages welcome. Reserve free tickets at brownpapertickets.com. For more information, visit rogerandersonchorale.com.