For ten years, Donald Kendrick has nurtured and trained the Sacramento Choral Society. And Kendrick works them hard. They gather every week at Sacramento State to practice – 200 singers from as far away as Grass Valley, Fairfield and Stockton. And for Kendrick, these are more than just rehearsals.
(Don)
As the group has solidified and grown, they’ve taken their music abroad. Two summers ago, they toured central Europe. This year, after a July 4th concert at Raley Field, they’ll perform in China, and both Kendrick and the choir are preparing for the trip.
(Don)
For this weekend’s program, the music is all by Dvorak, including two big works orchestrated during the fertile years between the composer’s 8th and 9th Symphonies.
It’s powerful music, and I asked Kendrick what it feels like to conduct such a large chorus and orchestra
(Don)
(Music)
Dvorak’s Te Deum, recorded by the Sacramento Choral Society in Budapest two years ago. They’re singing it again, on Saturday in the Community Center Theatre, and Sunday at the Mondavi Center.