Nez Perce Project Performance Schedule

World Premiere, June 23rd Lapwai Idaho

July 14, 2012 Sun Valley, ID

July 15, 2012 Hailey, ID

This piece tells their story after the departure of Lewis and Clark, and impact that the white man had on their people. But the larger story, the story that is important today for all of us, is about the promise..the promise of protection to the land and to all of its creatures that the Niimipuu made and always kept.

In 2005, Caritas Chorale commissioned and performed "Immence Ranges of High Mountains" commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition As Diane Josephy Peavey the librettist, David Alan Earnest the composer and I were researching the project, we realized that there was much more to the story. We knew then that there had to be a sequel. In 2011 Caritas Chorale commissioned this new work and have chosen to give it as a gift to the Nez Perce Tribe who call themselves the Niimipuu.

From the music..

Without your eyes the land is obscured.
Without your ears the song is faint.
Without your courage we stray.
Without your insights the world tips out of balance
And we may never fully know who we are...why we are here.

“We are proud to be presenting this piece to you and to the people who have always held this vision and share it with us”
- Dick Brown, Artistic Director

The Caritas Chorale Mission

The mission of Caritas Chorale is to encourage and promote musical education and appreciation in the Wood River Valley through the establishment of a non-denominational community chorus, presenting performances of classical and traditional choral music with instrumental accompaniment as appropriate. Caritas also strives to promote choral music appreciation and education in our community schools.

Services: youth education - adult education - performing arts, music

This non-profit organization encourages and promotes musical education and appreciation in the Wood River Valley through an active, non-denominational community chorus Caritas presents performances of classical and traditional choral music with and without instrumental accompaniment. Caritas Chorale also strives to promote choral music appreciation and education in community schools.

Caritas does not charge an admission for performances, sustaining itself in part through audience donations.

The approximately 90-member chorus, under the direction of Dick Brown, performs two to three concerts annually. In May 2006, Caritas presented an original commissioned work by David Alan Earnest, “Immense Ranges of High Mountains”, in Ketchum, Idaho Falls, and in Boise as part of the Lewis and Clark “A Circle of Cultures” festival.

Each September, Caritas holds its annual major fundraising event. Caritas members and friends handle all aspects of the event from catering to cleanup. Musical entertainment features Broadway and pops selections performed by the Caritas ensemble.

In December, as a prelude to the holiday season, Caritas performed an audience sing-along at St. Thomas Church in Ketchum. Donations of food and money generated is to support the Hunger Coalition. If you enjoy singing we welcome new members to Caritas Chorale, there is always room for more voices.

Carl R (Dick) Brown - Artistic Director

Born 1947: Jackson, Mississippi Education: BM Mississippi College 1969; BME 1969 MM University of Southern Mississippi 1970 Additional studies in cello and conducting at Louisiana State University 1969-1971 and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music 1965-66; 1973 Degrees: Cello, conducting, music education and music history Teacher: Schools in Mississippi and Idaho; taught at all levels from middle school to college - both strings and choral. Founder/Artistic Director of Choral Rendezvous, a national summer choral festival held each summerin Challis, Idaho, (1995-2004) Musician: Playing in Orchesn"as of Memphis, New Orleans, Mississippi and Mobile AL Professional Associations: Member, Idaho MENC and Idaho ACDA, Founding Musical Director, StThomas Playhouse 200 to present Member, Trailing of the Sheep Festival board from 2000 to present. Current Employment: Director of music for St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Sun Valley, 1999 - present Founder, Artistic Director for Caritas Chorale Ltd., Wood River Valley, 1999 - present Director of Upper School Music for the Community School, 1999-2007 Artistic Director for Anam Cara (the Chamber Choir of Idaho) based in Idaho Falls, 2000-2011 Conductor: Orchestras, operas, choirs throughout the United States and Europe. Director: Road companies of many Broadway musicals. Artistic Dir.: Chamber music ensembles and series in Mississippi and Louisiana. Clinician: Well—known clinician for orchestra and choral festivals throughout the United States.

R.L. Rowsey

Assistant Director R.LRowsey has devoted his life to the performance and education of the performing artsA native of Richmond, VA and a student of voice and piano at Virginia Commonwealth University, MrRowsey established himself throughout the east coast as a conductor, arranger, pianist, coach, teach and performerHis work in the educational arena led him to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' Theatre for Young People, as well as to residencies with several performing arts academiesAs a conductor, he worked extensively in Washington, D.C

In one season he received praise from Washington Post critics for his work in the following productions: as musical director of the Helen Hayes Award winning The Rocky Horror Show at The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; as director of the Oil City Symphony at The Studio Theatre of D.C.; and as an opera singer performing the role of The Man in Michael Neiman's The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a HatMrRowsey also toured extensively as a musical director and conductor of national tours of shows, including Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Fiddler on the Roof, Grand Hotel, Gypsy, and Singing in the RainDuring this time, he also served as vocal coach and teacher to many popular Broadway performers

During the second part of MrRowsey's career, he focused much more on the administrative components of theatre, having served as the associate producing artistic director for Theatre Virginia and as the general manager for NETworks, one of the nation’s leading producers of touring Broadway productions.

Currently, MrRowsey serves as one of the core company artists for Company of Fools in Hailey, IdahoMrRowsey is also the musical director for Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center, the Artistic Director for the Sun Valley Summer Symphony School of Music, and an assistant conductor for the Caritas Chorale.

Contact

Caritas Chorale
PO Box 164 Ketchum, ID 83340
208-726-5349 ext25