ENTERTAINMENT

New LancasterChorale director ready for season

Jeff Barron
Reporter

LANCASTER — The upcoming LancasterChorale season will feature a little new and a little old when it opens at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with "A New Song."

The "new" is artistic director Stephen Caracciolo, who is set to begin his inaugural season with the group. The "old" pertains to his desire to not make too many changes at first.

"You want to give patrons something both familiar and new," Caracciolo said. "You don't want to change everything. But you also don't want them to say, 'Well, this is all the same. There's nothing new.'"

The LancasterChorale opens its season on Sunday.

Caracciolo replaces the retired Robert Trocchia. He is an assistant professor of music in choral conducting and voice at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Caracciolo is also a professional choral singer in the Washington, D.C., area. He has a bachelor of music education from Capital University Conservatory of Music, holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a doctoral degree in choral conducting from the Indiana University Jacob School of Music.

"I couldn't ask for a more perfect marriage of what Bob did in the past and what we want to do now," Caracciolo said.

Another new item is the styling of the name of the organization. It is now LancasterChorale, without the space.

A portion of the performance, “Gregorian Chants Newly Arranged,” will feature Caracciolo and his arrangements of "Adoro te devote, Ubi cantas," by Maurice Durufle, "Rorarate caeli desuper" by Leo Nestor and "In splendoribus sanctorum" by James MacMillan.

The performance will also include a set called "New Harmonies," including "Magnificat & Nunc dimittis" by William Mathias and "Seek Him that Maketh the Seven Stars" by Jonathan Dove.

"The energy of the entire organization is electric this season and I look forward to audiences being surprised and delighted by not only the spiritual works of Mathias and Dove, but also by the warm embrace of the quieter expression of Durufle," Caracciolo said.

Additionally, the chorale commissioned Patrick Hawes' "Psalm 91," in recognition of Trocchia and his 28-year career with the organization.

The LancaserChorale opens its season on Sunday.

Caracciolo is no stranger to the LancasterChorale, as he sang with it about 10 years ago.

"I'm excited, but not anxious," he said about his new role. "Bob (Trocchia) has always been an amazing mentor and we have similar tastes. I want to make sure the chorale continues to be as viable and amazing as it always has."

Caracciolo will continue to live in the Baltimore area and commute to Ohio for chorale events and has already made the trip five times or so.

Tickets for "A New Song" are $25 and $20 for residents 55 and older. The performance is free for all students and active-duty military personnel in uniform. College students should bring their college identification with them.

Visit www.lancasterchorale.com for more information, including how to purchase tickets, or call the LancasterChorale office at 740-687-5855. Tickets will also be available at the door. Those wanting to buy tickets at the door should be there by 3:30 p.m. to ensure they are not sold out.

jbarron@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron