The North Coast Chorale celebrated 30 years of bringing great choral music to the North Oregon Coast in 2020. The group’s first performance was on KMUN community radio in 1990! In 1999, the chorale became part of Clatsop Community College Arts & Ideas Program, thereby gaining a permanent location for rehearsals and performances at the Performing Arts Center (now the Charlene Larsen Center for the Performing Arts) at 16th and Franklin in Astoria, Oregon.
Previous music directors have included Lisa Nelson and Dr. Denise Reed. Besides performances in and around Astoria, the north coast of Oregon and the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State, members of the chorale have gone to Barcelona, Spain, Leavenworth, WA and Portland, OR. Musical styles performed have included jazz, classical, holiday, sacred, traditional, indigenous, spiritual and gospel, rock & roll, pop, musical theater and contemporary.
The chorale has performed several musical theater programs, including Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, the Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, as well as large choral pieces such as Elijah, Messiah, and The Armed Man. They have put on two productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors, including one in 2019: “Amahl and the Night Visitors is a one act opera, composed by Gian Minotti in 1951. It was the first opera composed for television in the United States. In this delightful production by North Coast Chorale, the main character parts are portrayed by Ann Bronson as Mother, Deac Guidi, Phil Keim and Tony Kischner as the three Kings and featuring Soleil Maya Rathmell-Stokes as Amahl, with the Chorale singing choruses. This is a classic Christmas story of a very poor, disabled shepherd boy, known for his tall tales, who lives with his widowed mother. One night they are visited by three strangers who are on a long journey, following a star, seeking a special child. It is a story of desperation and the changes that come from Hope and the knowledge of being loved.” (from the Charlene Larsen Center web archives)
Here is an outline of chorale performances up until 2009, compiled by former choir member Stewart Bell:
Under Matthew Harden
December, 1990
KMUN studio concert, broadcast live
Christmas carols in various arrangements
March, 1991
Performed at Peace Lutheran Church
Haydn – Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo
Heinrich Schutz – Seven Last Words of Christ
June, 1991
Performed at the PAC
Randall Frostiana Thompson, settings of Robert Frost poems, in its entirety
Jester Hairston, arr. Elijah Rock
Various other spirituals and sea chanties, many arranged by Alice Parker
September, 1991
Gilbert & Sullivan, Trial by Jury, semi-staged, performed at Peace Lutheran, in the basement
December, 1991
Performed at Grace Episcopal Church and the Oysterville Church
Vivaldi, Gloria, in its entirety
Silent Night
There Is a Flower
Sing Out the News
Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming
Norman Luboff, arr. Still, Still, Still
March, 1992
Performed at the PAC
Brahms, Liebeslieder Waltzes
Lou Hayward, arr. Gershwin and Porter on Love, in its entirety
Mozart, some Italian love songs
Under Judith Taylor
December, 1993
Handel, Messiah, Part I plus Hallelujah chorus, bass soloist was Richard Zeller, not the future Met star and Astoria Music Festival regular, but his father
April, 1994
Good Friday Tenebrae Service, performed during service at First Methodist
Dale Wood, A Service of Darkness
Under Matthew Harden
December, 1994
Handel, Messiah, Part I, plus Lift Up Ye Gates and Hallelujah
April, 1995
An Evening of Choral Music
Johann S. Bach, Cantata No. 4, Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Haydn, Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo
Alice Parker, arr. God Is Seen, traditional piece arr. for Robert Shaw Chorale
Alice Parker, arr. Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, traditional piece arr. for Robert Shaw Chorale
Alice Parker, arr. Come Away to the Skies, traditional piece arr. for Robt Shaw Chorale
Alice Parker, arr. Saints Bound for Heaven, traditional piece arr. for Robt Shaw Chorale
December, 1995
Messiah Plus!
Handel, Messiah, Part 1 plus Hallelujah
John Rutter, , arr. Joy to the World
John Rutter, arr. ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
John Rutter, arr. How Great Our Joy!
M. Leontovich, Carol of the Bells
Michael Praetorius, John Rutter, arr. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Alfred Burt, Caroling, Caroling
March, 1996
Ides of Love
Stanley Glarum, How Do I Love Thee
Brahms, Liebeslieder Waltzer, 8 selections: When your eyes, How dear, No I will not listen, Every bird, See how bright, My love is a well, Don’t wander, Nightingale
James Mulholland, A Red, Red Rose, text by Robert Burns
Daniel Pinkham, Wedding Cantata, in its entirety
Paul Sjolund, Love Lost
Kirby Shaw, arr. When I Fall in Love
July, 1996
Into the World, joint concert with OGI chorus
Kelly, Down By the Sally Garden
James Mulholland, A Red, Red Rose, text by Robert Burns
Marenzio, Amate mi
Bardos, Tambur
Farrant, Call to Remembrance
Martinez-Turner, Como la flor
Nyberg/Leck, Haleluya pelo tsa rona
Nyberg/Leck, Freedom Is Coming
Morten Lauridson, Dirait-on
Jergensen, Prairie Love Song
Noble, Yo Paso las Noches
Orlando di Lasso, Ola! O che bon eccho
Stanley Glarum, How Do I Love Thee
Under Lani Johnson
December, 1996
Holiday Concert, guest conductor Michael Connolly
Charpentier, Messe de Minuit pour Noel, aka Midnight Mass, sung in its entirety
John Rutter, arr. ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
John Rutter, arr. Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
Stephen Caracciolo, There is no rose of such virtue
Robert Arenz, Lord why not all year long
Stanley Glarum, Lord Hosanna in the Highest
Handel, Messiah, Let All the Angels, The Lord Gave the Word, Their Sound Is Gone Out, Hallelujah
April, 1997
Shape a Nation! American Colonial Music 1620-1820, joint concert with Cannon Beach Chorus
Johann Christian Geisler, Good Friday Story
Nola Reid Knouse, arr. Great Sabbath Prayer
William Billings, Easter Anthem
William Billings, Hail, Sacred Music, Hail!
Lowell Mason, O Praise God in His Holiness
John Newton, Wm. D. Hall, arr. Amazing Grace
William Billings, David’s Lamentation
William Billings, Down Steers the Bass, aka Consonance
Supply Belcher, No Brandy Will We Take/Come, Thou Almighty King
Alice Parker, arr. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Shirley Munger, arr. Yankee Doodle
J.S. Smith, arr. Robert Edgerton, The Star Spangled Banner
July, 1997
Sounds of Summer, guest conductor Thomas Miller
Michael Braz, arr. Summer is icumen in
James Pethel, It Was the Time of Roses, text: Thomas Hood
Randall Thompson, The Pasture from “Frostiana”
Chester Alwes, The Centipede, text: Jack Prelutsky
Alexander Tilley, arr. Down By the Fair River, trad. Irish folksong
Z. Randall Stroope, Sure On This Shining Night, text: James Agee
Michael Larkin, Piping Down the Valleys Wild, text: William Blake
Shirley Munger, arr. Songs of the American Revolution
Huddie Ledbetter, Donald Moore, arr. Cotton Fields
Leland Sateren, , arr. The Sun Has Gone Down, Norwegian folktune
J.S. Smith, arr. Robert Edgerton, The Star Spangled Banner
December, 1997
Gloria!, joint concert with Cannon Beach Chorus
Vivaldi, Gloria
Gordon Young, Now Sing We All Noel
John Rutter, arr. We Three Kings
Hawley Ades, arr. Candles in the Night
Z. Randall Stroope, Sure On This Shining Night, text: James Agee
Carl Nygard, Jr., Carols Around (and a Round)
Jay Althouse, Come, See the Baby
Handel, Messiah: Hallelujah chorus
June, 1998
Haydn, The Creation, joint concert with Peace Lutheran choir; guest conductor Lee Howard (Alexandra Myers)
December, 1998
Messiah Straight & Jazzy
Handel, Messiah, Part I minus His Burthen Is Easy, plus Lift Up Your Heads, Let All the Angels of God, & Hallelujah
Handel, Quincy Jones, arr. Hallelujah chorus from Messiah, from “Messiah, a Soulful Celebration”
March, 1999
From Struggle, Hope, joint concert with Spirit Sing!, Astoria children’s choir (18 singers) directed by Lee Howard (Alexandra Myers)
Norman Luboff, African Mass
John Rutter, Look at the World
Greg Knauf, Festival Introit
Steven Sametz, Kas tie tadi
John Tavener, Funeral Ikos
Allan Naplan, Al shlosha d’varim
David Childs, Set Me As a Seal
Kevin Allen-Schmid, Children of the Earth
Z. Randall Stroope, How Can I Keep from Singing?
Andre Thomas, Goin’ Up to Glory
Ben Allaway, From This House
June, 1999
Choral Corral
Handel, The Lord Gave the Word from “Messiah”
Giovanni da Palestrina, Sicut Cervus
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Bogoroditse Devo from “All Night Vigil”
Johann Pachelbel, Canon of Praise, text set to Pachelbel’s Canon in D
Robert Schumann, Lied
Aden Lewis, The Crawdad Song
Orazio Vecchi, So well I know who’s happy
Vincent Youmans, Tea for Two, lyrics by Irving Caesar
Aaron Copland, Stomp Your Foot, from “The Tender Land”
Laz Ekwueme, arr. Hombe, a Kenyan lullaby
Henry Purcell, In these delightful, pleasant groves
Orlando di Lasso, My heart doth beg you’ll not forget
Scott; Lee Kjelson arr. Shenandoah
Morten Lauridson, Dirait-on
Walter Ehret, Tum Balalaika
Frederick Pens, arr. Battle of Jericho
Jester Hairston, arr. Elijah Rock
Harvey Enders, Russian Picnic
December, 1999
Odes, Carols, & Celebration, with guest appearance by 8 dancers from Maddox Dance Studio
Henry Purcell, Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1683
Henry Purcell, Ode for Queen Mary II
Traditional, O Come Emmanuel
John Rutter, arr. O Come All Ye Faithful
John Rutter, arr. Christmas Bells
Hawley Ades, arr. Hannukah Dance
Hawley Ades, arr. My S’Vivon
Stephen Caracciolo, There is no rose of such virtue
William Ferris, Gentle Mary
Hubert Bird, Adam Lay Ybounden
John Rutter, arr. Three Kings of Orient
Don Hinshaw, ed. Personet Hodie
Norman Luboff, arr. Still, Still, Still
Franz Gruber, Paul Sjolund, arr. Silent Night
John Rutter, arr. Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
John Rutter, arr. Joy to the World
Kitty Fadlu-Deen, arr. Maringa Krismes
Under Jeanine Walker
December, 2000
Performed 12/16 & 17 at Liberty Theater
Under Alexandra Myers
June, 2001
Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance, semi-staged at PAC
August, 2001
Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance, reprised for Regatta at Liberty
December, 2001
Ritual & Revels, with Spirit Sing!, 4 Maddox dancers & the First Lutheran bell choir
Buryl Red, Song of Mary
Franz Biebl, Ave Maria
Audrey Snyder, Magnificat Mysticum
Anton Bruckner, Ave Maria
Johann Pachelbel, Magnificat
Johann S. Bach, Ave Maria
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Magnificat
Vijay Singh, Medieval Gloria
Michael Fink, What Sweeter Music
Carlos Salzedo, O Tannenbaum
Traditional, Dona Nobis Pacem
John Ricketts, arr. He Is Born!
Anonymous Deck the Halls With Lefse Slices
Vijay Singh, Dance Today With Joy
Anonymous, Lutefiske, O Lutefiske
Conrad Susa, A Christmas Garland
Under Judith Taylor
June, 2002
Some Enchanted Evening: Opera Goes to Broadway
Giuseppe Verdi, Brindisi Chorus from “La Traviata”
Giacomo Puccini, Humming Chorus from “Madame Butterfly”
Henry Purcell, Dido’s Lament & Final Chorus from “Dido and Aeneas”
George Bizet, March of the Toreadors from “Carmen”
George Gershwin, Love Is Sweeping the Country from “Of Thee I Sing”
Victor Young, When I Fall in Love from “Sleepless in Seattle”
Jerome Kern, All the Things You Are from “Very Warm for May”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Masquerade from “Phantom of the Opera”
Jerome Kern, Ol’ Man River, from “Showboat”
Richard Rodgers, Some Enchanted Evening, from “South Pacific”
Richard Rodgers, There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame, from “South Pacific”
Richard Rodgers, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, from “South Pacific”
Richard Rodgers, Climb Ev’ry Mountain from, “The Sound of Music”
Richard Rodgers, You’ll Never Walk Alone, from “Carousel”
August, 2002
Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance, reprised for Regatta at Liberty
December, 2002
Christmas at the Liberty
Handel, Messiah And the glory, O Thou that tellest, For unto us, Glory to God, Hallelujah
John Rutter, arr. How Great Our Joy!
John Rutter, arr. Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
John Rutter, arr. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Albert Hague, You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Donald Moore, Thirty Second Fa La La
Ellen Foncannon, arr. Cold and Fugue Season, music by J.S. Bach
Jerry Herman, We Need a Little Christmas from “Mame”, arranged by Mac Huff
Jay Althouse, In December
Ed Lojeski, arr. The Christmas Song
John Leavitt, arr. Dashing Through the Snow
June, 2003
Gilbert & Sullivan, H.M.S. Pinafore, at the PAC; costumes and staging but minimalist set
December, 2003
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Johann S. Bach, Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, arranged by Alice Parker
Johann S. Bach, Sicut Locutus Est from “Magnificat”
Alice Parker, arr. Angels We Have Heard on High
Alice Parker, arr. O Sanctissima
Traditional, Dormi, O Bel Bambin Italian, arr. DeCormier
John Rutter, arr. Still, Still, Still
Alice Parker, arr. Fum, Fum, Fum
Mark Hayes, arr. Silent Night
Alice Parker, arr. The Boar’s Head Carol
Lloyd Larson, arr. Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
Mark Hayes, arr. Mary, Go Tell It!
Mark Hayes, arr. Ain’t-a That Good News
Doug Andrews, arr. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Vince Guaraldi, Christmas Time Is Here from “Charlie Brown,” arr. By Steve Zegree
Mark Hayes, arr. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
May, 2004
Come What May
Randall Thompson, Alleluia
Johann Pachelbel, Canon of Peace, text set to Pachelbel’s Canon in D
Gaetano Donizetti, Chorus of wedding guests from “Lucia di Lammermoor”
Gioachino Rossini, Villagers’ chorus from “Guillaume Tell”
Mac Huff, arr. I’ll Fly Away, from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Mac Huff, arr. Keep on the Sunny Side, from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Mac Huff, arr. Down to the River to Pray, from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Mac Huff, arr. I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow, from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Mac Huff, arr. In the Highways, from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Mac Huff, arr. A Gershwin Portrait
Under Lisa Nelson
December, 2004
A Season for Celebration
Vivaldi, Gloria, Gloria, Et in Terra, Laudamus Te, Domine Deus/Agnus Dei, Cum Sancto Spiritu
Handel, Hallelujah Chorus
Warren et al, arr. Hallelujah Chorus, a Soulful Celebration, a gospel arrangement
Carole Stephens, African Sanctus
Kirby Shaw, arr. In the Bleak Midwinter/Lo How a Rose
Randall Thompson, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening from “Frostiana”
Robert DeCormier, arr. Rocky Rocky Road, trad. West Indian Christmas song
Betty Bertaux, arr. S’Vivon, Hannukah song
Randall Thompson, Choose Something Like a Star from “Frostiana”
Dudley Buck, arr, O Holy Night
May, 2005
Sweet Voice of America
John Rutter, arr. O Come, All Ye Faithful
John Rutter, arr. Joy to the World
John Rutter, arr. Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
John Rutter, arr. How Great Our Joy!
John Rutter, arr. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
John Rutter, arr. Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
David Willcocks, arr. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Mendelssohn, Hark the Herald Angels Sing
David Willcocks, arr. Unto Us is Born a Son
Mozart, Ave Verum Corpus
William Billings, A Virgin Unspotted
Dennis Allen, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Mary McDonald, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Greg Gilpin, arr. All Through the Night
The First Noel/Pachelbel’s Canon
August, 2005
Gilbert & Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance, reprised for Regatta, last time
December, 2005
Christmas with Lewis & Clark
May, 2006
Spotlight on Broadway
Fats Waller, The Joint Is Jumpin’ from “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” arr. Mark Brymer
Jerome Kern, Ol’ Man River from “Showboat,” arr. Russ Robinson
Irving Berlin, Anything You Can Do from “Annie Get Your Gun,” arr. Anita Kerr
Frank Loesser, Luck Be a Lady Tonight from “Guys and Dolls,” arr. Ed Lojeski
Leonard Bernstein, America from “West Side Story,” arr. William Stickles
Leonard Bernstein, Somewhere from “West Side Story,” arr. Robert Edgerton
Richard Rodgers, Climb Ev’ry Mountain from “The Sound of Music,” arr. Ed Lojeski
John Kander, And All That Jazz from “Chicago,” arr. Kirby Shaw
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina from “Evita,” arr. Alan Billingsley
Claude-Michel Schonberg, Bring Him Home from “Les Miserables,” arr. Mark Brymer
Claude-Michel Schonberg, Do You Hear the People Sing? from “Les Miserables,” arr. Ed Lojeski
Andrew Lloyd Webber, All I Ask of You from “The Phantom of the Opera,” arr. Mark Brymer
Stephen Schwartz, Popular from “Wicked,” arr. Mac Huff
Stephen Schwartz, Defying Gravity from “Wicked,” arr. Roger Emerson
Jonathan Larson, Seasons of Love from “Rent,” arr. Roger Emerson
December, 2006
Handel, The Messiah, selections: 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30, 41, 42, 44, 53
May, 2007
NCC Swings into Jazz
Charles Calhoun, Smack Dab in the Middle
Dave Brubeck, Take Five
Milton Drake, Java Jive
Harold Arlen, It’s Only a Paper Moon
James Van Heusen, Come Fly With Me
Bart Howard, Fly Me to the Moon
Harry Woods, What a Little Moonlight Can Do
Billy Strayhorn, Take the “A” Train
Harold Arlen, Stormy Weather
Isham Jones, It Had to Be You
Harold Arlen, I’ve Got the World on a String
Cole Porter, I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Cab Calloway, Minnie the Moocher
Duke Ellington, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
Under Denise Reed
December, 2007
Magnificat
Johann S. Bach, Magnificat
Michael Praetorius; John Rutter, arr. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
John Rutter, arr. Joy to the World
John Rutter, John, arr. Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
John Rutter, Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
Franz Gruber; John Rutter, arr. Silent Night
John Rutter, Christmas Lullaby
John Rutter, Magnificat
May, 2008
Spirituals & Gospel Music
Moses Hogan, arr. Ain’t That Good News
Sam Batt Owens, arr. My Lord, What a Mourning
Wm. Henry Smith, arr. Walk Together Children
Norman Luboff, arr. Were You There
Darmon Meader, arr. Deep River
Jester Hairston, arr. Elijah Rock
Jack Halloran, arr. Witness
Moses Hogan, arr. Battle of Jericho
William Dawson, arr. Ezekiel Saw de Wheel
Andre Thomas, Beautiful City
John Newton; Denise Reed, arr. Amazing Grace
Thomas Dorsey; Denise Reed, arr. Precious Lord
Robert Ray, Gospel Mass
Charles Tindley; Barbara Baker, arr. The Storm Is Passing Over
Richard Smallwood, Dave Williamson, arr. Total Praise
Keith Hampton, Praise His Holy Name
December, 2008
A Light in Winter
William Billings, A Virgin Unspotted
Anton Bruckner, Ave Maria
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ave Maria
David Willcocks, arr. Unto Us is Born a Son
John Rutter, arr. Still, Still, Still
John Ricketts, arr. He Is Born!
Conrad Susa, A Christmas Garland
Maxcine Posegate, Return of the Wise Men
Steve Barnett, arr. S’Vivon
Michael Isaacson, arr. Light the Legend
Peter Wilhousky, arr. Carol of the Bells
Frank Kinsman, arr. Pat a Pan, Burgundian carol
James Pierpont; John Leavitt, arr. Jingle Bells
Mel Torme and Robert Wells, The Christmas Song
Camille Saint-Saens, Christmas Oratorio, in its entirety
December, 2008
Saint Saens, Christmas Oratorio, other festive music at the PAC and Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, WA
The Messiah, the whole piece, at the Liberty
May, 2009
The Language of Love
Brahms, Liebeslieder Waltzer selections: 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 6
Hila Plitmann and Eric Whitacre, Five Hebrew Love Songs
Denise Reed, These Three Remain
Miguel Matamoros, Dulce Embeleso
Ruben Fuentes, La Bikina
John Dowland, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
Mozart, Scenda Amor from “Idomeneo”
Wilho Saari and Zachary Topelius, Denise Reed-Hinds, arr. Farewell
James Mulholland, A Red, Red Rose, text by Robert Burns
Norman Luboff, arr. Tender Love, Cajun folk song
Levi Celerio and Lucio San Pedro, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (Lulling Cradle)
Darmon Meader, Love Psalm
J.J. Niles, Peter Wilhousky, arr. Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair
Kirby Shaw, arr. When I Fall in Love
Lou Hayward, arr. Gershwin and Porter on Love, Let’s Do It, Embraceable You, You Do Something to Me, The Man I Love, Just One of Those Things, But Not For Me, Love Is Sweeping the Country
November, 2009
Handel, Messiah, at the Astoria Christian Church
December, 2009
Songs of the Angels
Vivaldi, Gloria, in its entirety
Handel, Glory to God, from Messiah, with introductory sections for soprano soloist
Boyd Bacon, They Heard the Angels Sing
Gary Hallquist, Gloria! Sing Praise! Alleluia!
Linda Spevacek, And the Angels Sang
John Rutter, Angels’ Carol
Rollo Dillworth, Jordan’s Angel
Mozart, Gloria in Excelsis
Lloyd Larson, arr. He Come From the Glory
Lloyd Larson, arr. Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
Alice Parker, arr. Angels We Have Heard on High
Carl & Katherine Crosier, arr. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Enjoy these photos of the chorale from yesteryear!
