Chamber Orchestra to present 'Magnificat'

The California Chamber Orchestra will present “Magnificat!” by British composers Ralph Vaughn Williams and John Rutter at 7:30 p.m. on April 7 at the .

The concert, under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Dana Mambourg Zimbric, is presented by the Golden Valley Music Society in partnership with Temecula Presents. It is supported by a gift from Elaine and Robert Culverhouse, Jr.

The first half of the program features violinist Jisun Yang performing Vaughn Williams’ "The Lark Ascending."

Jisun Yang is Associate Principal Violin I of the San Diego Symphony. Before coming to San Diego, she was a violinist in the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. She also held the position of Concertmaster of the Spoleto Festival and Opera Orchestra in 2003.

Jisun is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Oberlin College Conservatory where she studied with David Cerone, David Updegraff, William Preucil, and Almita and Roland Vamos.

Yang grew up in Chicago, Illinois and began playing violin at the age of six. She says her earliest inspirations were performances on Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood by violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

For the concert’s second half, the orchestra is joined by the Temecula Valley Master Chorale for John Rutter’s "Magnificat."

The text of the Magnificat is the canticle of Mary on learning that she carried the child Jesus. Rutter’s work is a glorious celebration inspired by celebrations of Mary in what Rutter calls “the sunshine countries,” Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

“Every culture celebrates the Spring equinox,” Zimbric says. “And so much of that celebration is centered on this weekend that includes both Easter and Passover. This program really explores the transition from darkness to light that Spring represents. The Lark Ascending is a tender, introspective hymn to nature, while the Magnificat is a bright, shining celebration of God.”

With more than 60 members, the Temecula Valley Master Chorale has performed throughout Southern California, and took their music to Italy in 2005. The Chorale’s Artistic Director, John Byun, received his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from University of California, Irvine and his Masters in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He is the director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College.

Tickets for the concert are available online by clicking here or by calling 866-653-8696.

The price is $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $12.50 for students and $2.50 for children younger than 12 years.

---- By Mark Margolin, spokesperson for the Golden Valley Music Society