"War and Peace" presents a program of evocative works depicting timeless stories of war, anguish and the longing for happiness and peace by Ukrainian composer, Valentin Silvestrov and Russian composers, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Arensky.

Lamentations, Meditations, and Celebrations. . .
An exploration of the human spirit in choral song. Concert will perform pieces by Adolphus Hailstork, Thomas Tallis, Williametta Spencer, Eric Whitacre, and Leo Brouwer.

First Annual Conference and Eucharist honoring Saint Joseph is being hosted by Saint Joseph Parish/Old Mission San Jose in Fremont on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

The Animal Kingdom: Choral music about, and inspired, by animals

In 1936, Randall Thompson wrote The Peaceable Kingdom, a monumental unaccompanied work of eight choruses on texts from the book of Isaiah. Thompson was inspired by Edward Hicks’ paintings of the same name (https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.59908.html) which represent a messianic prophecy in the book of Isaiah (11:6): “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” The work is often considered to be Thompson’s masterpiece and requires an expert choir to sing the demanding vocal passages and to handle the frequent writing for double-chorus. 
 
The first half of the concert features music that is inspired by animals. Eric Whitacre’s whimsical Animal Crackers are 6 miniature works for choir and piano composed to the words of Ogden Nash. Rounding out the program will be several madrigals, both light-hearted and serious, sung by small groups within the San Francisco Bay Area Chamber Choir. 
 
 The Peaceable Kingdom – Randall Thompson
 Animal Crackers – Eric Whitacre
 A selection of delightful animal-themed madrigals sung by SFBACC small ensembles 

Ronald E. McKean, presents Carols of Christmastide, St. Joseph Choir’s annual Christmas concert. All adult and children's choirs will be featured and participate in this extraordinary, musical event: Adult Multi-Cultural, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian, Family of Faith/Saint Joseph School, Youth/Young Adult, and all instruments and musicians.

Ring in the holidays with Mission Peak Chamber Singers! A joyous celebration of music and light.

Three choirs of all ages, including appearances by the San José State Treble Choir and the Dayton and Corvallis Elementary Choir, and special guest harpist Ruthanne Adams Martinez.

In recognition of Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16, a premier concert will be presented on the Rosales Opus 14 organ at Old Mission San Jose. Pre-concert talk at 7:30, concert at 8:00pm. Wine and cheese reception immediately following in the adjacent St. Joseph Church Hall.

This talk examines José Jesús Vallejo, first civil administrator of Mission San Jose, an older brother and a son. One who is sometimes overshadowed by his younger brother, compared to his father, and even sometimes misquoted and misidentified by his daughter. But José Jesús has made his mark in the annals of history and with distinction.