San José Symphonic Choir

Ordinary People Making Extraordinary Music

The San José Symphonic Choir (SJSC), a volunteer choral organization, has performed masterworks and contemporary pieces in San José and the South Bay Area since its founding in 1924. The Choir typically consists of about 100 singers, and has been under the inspiring leadership of Maestro Leroy Kromm since 1985.

SEASON 97: Re-Imagined!

The Gloria, one of Vivaldi’s most uplifting works, provides a glorious musical setting to an ancient liturgical text. The text of the Gloria begins with one of the more theatrical passages of the Bible, the angel’s announcement of the Nativity to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will”. Vivaldi portrays this moment with a bold orchestral statement: resounding trumpet calls and ecstatic octave leaps invoking the heavenly host, and a wall of sound from the chorus. The following movements provide contemplation, solos both joyous and pleading, and jewel-like moments of intertwined instrumental and choral forces.

Be our guest @home for this latest SJSC performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, recorded with Cal Arte Ensemble. This virtual performance has been created during the COVID pandemic of 2020 by singers and instrumentalists who each recorded themselves at home. The resulting individual tracks were compiled by chief video creator Julian Brown to achieve the sound of musicians performing together, as we fervently wish we were.

Enjoy!

SJSC programming is our gift to the community – lifting spirits and creating joy!

San José Symphonic Choir is supported, in part, by a Cultural Affairs grant and a Coronavirus Relief Fund grant from the City of San José, and by grants from Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and the Peery Foundation, in addition to several corporate sponsors.