Handel at a Crossroads, presented by Derek Tam

In 1739, George Frideric Handel was at a crossroads in his career. After almost two decades of success as an opera composer, Handel was on the brink of financial ruin due to rival opera companies and changing tastes among audiences. But Handel had an ace up his sleeve: Oratorio. Derek Tam, early music specialist and VCS Artistic Director, traces the birth of a new genre, as viewed through one of Handel's most colorful compositions, Israel in Egypt. Free and open to the public, the March 3 talk kicks off a unique series of online sessions that are part rehearsal and part music-appreciation course. This series is open to all music lovers everywhere—no singing experience required. Each Wednesday starting in March, Derek will lead unique, interactive sessions that integrate musicianship, vocal technique, sight-singing, virtual-choir production, and master-class critique. The program will culminate in a live-streamed finale concert on Saturday, May 22, 2021. With Handel’s great oratorio as the framework, VCS's weekly online gatherings serve as a catalyst for individual growth as choral singers and musicians while offering enriching shared experiences within our choral community. Those who took part in VCS's recent Bach program will attest to this! If you are an appreciator of outstanding choral music and want a deeper dive in a low-pressure setting, this is a great opportunity. —Suzanne Awalt, Benicia Magazine, December 2020 ______________________________ Season 103 | Program 3 | March – May 2021 George Frideric Handel’s Israel in Egypt Wednesdays 7–8:30 PM March 3 – May 19 Finale celebration Saturday, May 22 * March 3 presentation by Derek Tam free and open to the public * 11 value-packed, interactive online sessions * Musicianship, vocal technique, sight-singing, and master-class critique * Virtual-choir productions of several movements * $150 for the entire series Technical help with Zoom and virtual-choir recording is freely available. To register for the free talk or the entire series, visit the VCS website: https://www.vallejochoral.org/spring-2021-handel/