Collaborations
In addition to their own repertoire, Coro da capo has been fortunate to collaborate with musicians in performances and recording opportunities.
Even though Coro da capo is primarily an a cappella ensemble, on May 10, 2019, the choir collaborated with another local group, Orchestra Concordia, to perform Gabriel Faure’s Pavane, Op. 50, the version for choir and orchestra. Gary White, artistic director of Orchestra Concordia, conducted the concert held at Radnor Middle School in Wayne, PA. The well-attended concert was a satisfying success.
In May of 2023, Coro da capo was able to continue the tradition of partnering with Orchestra Concordia for their 5-Year Anniversary Gala.
Tim Renner, Baritone
Yumi Kendall, Assistant Principal Cello, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Marsha Core, Conductor, Coro da capo
Gary White, Conductor, Orchestra Concordia
(Pictured from Left to Right)
"MUSICAL, FLEXIBLE, SONOROUS, PERFORMING WITH A REAL JOY AND LOVE OF THE MUSIC. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THOUGHTS THAT IMMEDIATELY COME TO MY MIND AFTER HAVING THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH MARSHA CORE'S VOCAL ENSEMBLE CORO DA CAPO IN A JOINT CONCERT WITH ORCHESTRA CONCORDIA. MARSHA CORE AND THE MEMBERS OF THIS EXCELLENT CHORAL ENSEMBLE ARE FINE MUSICIANS IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!"
GARY D. WHITE / ORCHESTRA CONCORDIA / MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
AN ANTHOLOGY OF PRE-CIVIL WAR HYMN TUNES BASED ON CLASSICAL MUSIC
In January of 2021, a small ensemble from Coro da capo recorded a Classical era hymn tune composed by Franz J. Haydn as part of a project sponsored by Dr. Peter Taylor-Mercer, University of Minnesota. Dr. Taylor-Mercer has researched more than two hundred Classical era tunes by various European composers that were edited and arranged into four-part chorale type hymn tunes and used in the mid-1800s in American churches. Unfortunately, the popularity of these tunes waned by the century’s end and they were mainly forgotten for many years. Dr. Taylor- Mercer is committed to bringing these tunes to light for twenty-first-century congregations and choirs to enjoy.
The Coro da capo subgroup recorded their individual parts for a hymn tune called Zeuner. Haydn's tune is found in the Benedictus movement from the Mass in Bb, Hoboken XXII, 10. According to Mercer-Taylor, an American organist and composer, George Kingsley adapted this pleasing mass melody, set it into a four-part hymn, added text, and made it suitable for use in worship services.