Symphony finishes season with “The Ecstatic Sea”

The Glacier Symphony and Chorale’s will finish its 31st concert season with “The Ecstatic Sea,” a work of tremendous musical depth and demand for the orchestra, chorus and two soloists composed by Vaughan Williams.

The work will be conducted by music director John Zoltek in the in the Flathead High School auditorium on Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday May 11, at 3 p.m. The concert will mark the final performance for Jim Stanard, who is retiring after eight years as chorale director.

“For me, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony is a wonderful choice to end my tenure as the director of the Glacier Chorale,” Stanard said. “The work is lush, majestic, moving, and at times thrilling and, I might admit, very challenging.”

Appearing as guest singers will be Gina Lapka, soprano, and Stephen Kalm, baritone. Both artists are outstanding soloists from Missoula. Lapka is general director of the Montana Lyric Opera Company, and Kalm is dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Montana.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.gscmusic.org or by calling the GSC box office at 407-7000. Tickets range in price from $15 to $32 in four seating tiers. Youths through grade 12 are admitted free.