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Schola Cantorum of Waynesboro was formed in 1996 to give accomplished area singers an opportunity to learn and perform great works of the master composers. Its name, derived from medieval Latin meaning "school for singers," is a testament to the mission of the group which is to challenge its musicians to master and perform the great works of classical music for the enjoyment and education of the community.
Since its inception, the group has performed many great works of music including J. S. Bach's Magnificat, Maurice Durufle's Requiem, Gabriel Faure's Requiem, George Frideric Handel's Messiah, John Rutter's Magnificat and Mendelssohn's Elijah. In the spring of 2003, we presented Joseph Haydn's Mass in the Time of War and Te Deum. Fall of 2003 brought Schola's performance of the great Giacomo Puccini's Gloria.
Our 2004 selections included Franz Schubert's Mass in G at our spring concert and parts of Glenn McClure's St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass, and John Rutter's Gloria at the fall concert.
For the spring 2005 concert, we joined with the Waynesboro High School Concert Choir to present Come Lovely Spring from Haydn's Seasons, Lacrymosa from Mozart's Requiem, and Worthy is the Lamb and the Amen Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Schola also performed Pavane by Gabriel Faure and Dies Irae, also from Mozart's Requiem, at this concert. The fall 2005 concert, entitled "Mozart and Friends," featured Mozart's Mass in C. "Missa for Archbishop Colloredo" with orchestral accompaniment. Also on that program were Mendelssohn's "Heilig" (Holy, holy, holy), Handel's Coronation Anthem "Zadok The Priest" and other sacred songs including several American Spirituals.
For the Spring Concert for 2006 we celebrated Mozart's 250th birthday by performing his "Requiem" with full orchestra and guest soloists. Also on the program were light operatic works from "Cavalleria Rusticana", and Aaron Copland's "The Tender Land."
Rounding out its repertoire, Schola Cantorum also performs shorter works of contemporary music, folk songs and spirituals at its concerts. Our goal is to perform all these works as the composer intended, with orchestra and soloists.
In addition to concerts in the Fall and Spring each year, the group strives to increase its performance schedule to include more ambitious works and to allow more opportunities for the community to appreciate and enjoy great classical music. Ensembles from the group are available to perform at smaller venues such as community events, hospitals, libraries, churches and retirement communities.
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