Jamestown A Cappella Choir To Hold Annual Vespers

Pictured is the Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir of 1958-59, the first year under the direction of Mr. Donald B, Bubé. Founded in 1924, the choir celebrates its 95th Anniversary Vespers on Sunday, Dec. 4th & 15th at 4 pm at First Lutheran Church.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir will hold its 95th Annual A Cappella Vespers this Sunday, December 8th and December 15th at 4 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church.

There is no admission and a free-will offering will be taken. The December 15th performance will include A Cappella alumni with over 150 alumni scheduled to participate.

“This year is especially exciting, in addition to the celebration of our 95th Anniversary the choir will be performing in the Candlelight Processional at Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida on Dec. 28th,” said JHS A Cappella Director Norm Lydell. “A Cappella will be joined by two additional high school choruses, a professional chorus, the Voices of Liberty Disney Ensemble, a philharmonic orchestra, and guest narrator Marlee Matlin for two performances of 14 Christmas songs.  This is a tremendous amount of music to prepare in addition to our annual Vespers repertoire, but the choir is working very hard on every word and every note. We thank the community for their continued support of all the music events and ensembles at Jamestown High School.”





The 80-voice JHS A Cappella Choir features smaller ensembles, including the Madrigal Singers, Men of Tomorrow and Ladies of Today. Brian Bogey, A Cappella director from 1982-2003, will provide accompaniment on piano and organ. The Madrigal Singers will also perform over 20 performances out in the local community.

The Vespers are a community tradition established in 1924 by Miss Ebba Goranson, founder of the Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir. Each December, the JHS A Cappella performs two sacred music concerts at First Lutheran Church, featuring excerpts from major choral works and seasonal songs and carols as a way to provide a bit of cheer for this time of year. The Annual Vespers tradition continues under the direction Norman Lydell and Director Emeritus Brian Bogey as accompanist.

Choral music education has enjoyed a long, rich tradition at Jamestown High School.  Ebba H. Goranson, who directed the choir from 1924 until her passing in 1957, founded the A Cappella Choir 94 years ago. Donald B. Bubé served as choral director from 1958-1981.  Brian A. Bogey moved into the director’s position in 1982 from the highly successful Jefferson Jr. High choral program.  Since his retirement in 2003, Brian continues to serve our community as conductor, educator, musician, and advocate for vocal education.  Brian continues to support the efforts of the A Cappella through friendship, counsel, and as choir accompanist.  It is with deep appreciation, admiration and affection that we continue the life work of our founder and directors.





















The A Cappella Choir is known as the “Choir of Cathedrals.” Performances include the National Shrine Basilica in Washington, D.C; New York City’s famed Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and many more locations.

In December of 2015, the A Cappella performed with acclaimed performing artist Jim Brickman. In the spring of 2016, the A Cappella toured Washington, D.C. and in 2018, the choir toured Baltimore, Maryland.

 









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