10/19/06
Story by Peggy Graham

Johnson County Chorus Presents K.C. Premiere

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –  The Johnson County Chorus, accompanied by orchestra, will perform the Kansas City premiere of Emmanuel, composed and conducted by Eugene Butler, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in Yardley Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Kansas City premiere follows a performance of Butler’s cantata by mass choirs with the New England Symphonic Ensemble Nov. 20 at Carnegie Hall, New York. The concert will also include selections from Handel’s Messiah and other seasonal favorites. Holiday music will be provided in the Carlsen Center lobby before and after the concert by the Johnson County Choraliers, a select ensemble from the chorus, and Young Singers of Overland Park.

Butler, Overland Park, is a respected name in the music world as a composer, conductor and educator. He has more than 750 published compositions with 47 publishing houses. Butler previously served as director of choral activities and music theory at JCCC and directed the Johnson County Chorus for 19 years. He has conducted and taught in 39 states, three Canadian provinces and England.

The chorus is comprised of adult volunteers from the local community, directed by Anita Cyrier. Johnson County Chorus alumni are invited to sing in the Dec. 3 performance of Emmanuel by rehearsing from 7:30-8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Oct. 31, in room 192 of the Office and Classroom Building on the JCCC campus. For more information, call JCCC’s Continuing Education office at 913-469-3837.