in concert

PALS 20th Anniversary Concert
Our celebratory 20th Anniversary Concert took place on February 28, 2010. PALS alumni from all over the country convened to sing once again under the baton of Jody Hill Simpson. Senior PALS performed contemporary selections by Leonard Bernstein, Bruce Adolphe, and Bret Silverman. In addition, we performed adventurous new pieces by our own Senior PALS chorister Eleanor Bragg, as well as the Boston premiere of Twelve Opposites by Caroline Mallonée.

The VOICES Concert Series
Johanna Hill Simpson, PALS’ Artistic Director Emerita, launched PALS’ VOICES Concert project a full decade ago. Jody’s mission in establishing the project was to provide a forum in which children could premiere newly commissioned, rare, and experimental musical works. The VOICES Series has featured premieres of composers including Bret Silverman, Mehmet Sanlikol, Howard Frazin, Heikki Sarmanto, and Chris Eastburn. In its current incarnation, the VOICES series also strives to partner with a charitable organization around the theme of the musical work.

In VOICES 2009, PALS performed the New England premiere of “Children’s Crusade,” op. 82, by Benjamin Britten. In this concert, PALS collaborated with “Save the Children” in order to raise money for children all over the world who had been displaced by conflict. By performing this experimental work in front of an audience, the PALS performers were able to promote contemporary music while serving children worldwide.

Our next VOICES Concert will be scheduled for Spring 2011.

Collaborative Concerts
Senior PALS has had the honor of performing with several of Boston’s finest musical ensembles, including the Cantata Singers and the Boston Lyric Opera. Since 2006, PALS has joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra for more than 16 performances of works including Berlioz’ Damnation de Faust, John Adams’ El Nino, Berlioz’ Te Deum, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, and J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. 

Last Fall, PALS had the honor performing Pozzi Escot’s Missa Triste in Jordan Hall on November 10. PALS was also delighted to join WGBH studios for A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan. Above, PALS choristers perform with Scottish singer Karine Polwart, warm-up by pretending to be reindeer, and hang out with Brian O'Donovan back stage.

PALS Family Concerts
PALS Family Concerts provide an annual opportunity for all of the PALS choruses to perform under one roof. In the rousing finales of these concerts, over 150 children ages six to fifteen join voices, moving audiences to hand-clapping exuberance. This year’s Family Concert will take place at First Parish Church on Sunday, January 30, 2011.