ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra ~ The Arizona Centennial Concert

February 11-12

ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra ~ The Arizona Centennial Concert

In celebration of the Arizona Centennial, ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra (PMAZ) is presenting The Arizona Centennial concert. This official Arizona Centennial event will feature music that celebrates the diversity of Arizona’s cultural history since becoming a state on Feb. 14, 1912. PMAZ will perform newly-commissioned pieces for orchestra and choir, created for the special occasion as well as works by Carlos Chavez and Randall Thompson.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) commissioned two pieces to celebrate Centennial. The orchestral piece is called “Arizona Centennial Overture,” and was composed by Sy Brandon, a resident of Cottonwood Arizona. Mr. Brandon’s one-movement piece uses many elements of Native American music in the first two sections, and then transitions into a raucous celebration reminiscent of music of the early settlers of Arizona.

The ACA also commissioned a work entitled “Turquoise and Thunder.” The music was written for chorus and piano by Dr. James DeMars and the ethereal text is by Alberto Rios. The beautiful and haunting music uses 20th Century sonorities and text painting to express the wonders of natural Arizona.

The Orchestra and Chorale will each perform additional works that celebrate Arizona, cowboys, the Sonoran Desert and the great American West.

The concert will be held at Cactus Shadows Performing Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale (cross street is Carefree Highway).

Performances will be on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 4 p.m.

www.pmaz.org