Oregon choir brings love & harmony to island.

Orfeón San Juan Bautista (Facebook via Orfeón San Juan Bautista)

By PEGGY ANN BLISS

Special to The STAR

There is a small city in the northwestern state of Oregon where it rains all the time. And in that small city, almost everyone has a vein of musical talent.

Precipitation and harmonization are two facts of life that clarinetist Kathleen Jones knows well. She had many a play date or shopping spree ruined by a downpour when she was growing up in the aforementioned town, Eugene, where both of her parents were music teachers and two of her sisters were musicians.

She survived the rain and was voted outstanding student of her high school graduating class in 1970.

Anyone who follows classical music in Puerto Rico knows Jones has been a major influence on the island’s musical growth for the last half century, having taught hundreds of clarinetists, whom she has proudly showcased around the world.

In a few days, Sanjuaneros can learn something else about the faraway damp city: it has a celebrated 51-year-old community choir, now on tour in Puerto Rico. On Friday, the Eugene Concert Choir will join San Juan’s equally celebrated (if a bit younger) community chorus Orfeón San Juan Bautista in a free concert at Union Church of San Juan at 7 p.m.

Eugene Concert Choir Artistic Director Diane Retallack (eugeneconcertchoir.org)

The event, entitled “Musica de Amor/Music of Love,” will feature a contemporary repertoire in English and Spanish. The two choirs will perform separately and combined.

Orfeón San Juan Bautista has been growing in accomplishment and popularity since it was founded 25 years ago. It is directed by professor/composer Guarionex Morales Matos and Daniel Alejandro Tapia, who is also the artistic and musical director. 

A highlight of the evening will be the joint presentation by both choruses of a work by Morales Matos commissioned by the Eugene choir as part of its tour. The piece, conceived as an integral part of the love-drenched concert, is entitled “Siento mi latido” (I Feel My Heartbeat). It represents the eternal rhythm of the human soul, especially when it is in love. Blending choral tradition with swing and jazz, the work was first performed on Valentine’s Day this year. 

The 34-member touring group from Oregon performed earlier this week at Teatro Yagüez in Mayagüez and in Ponce at Pontificia Catholic University. They also took some time for sightseeing at the Ponce Art Museum and other island attractions.

At the helm of the visiting ensemble for over 40 years is its artistic director, Diane Retallack, who also formed the Eugene Chamber Orchestra 10 years ago. A passionate devotee of all kinds of music, she is a member of the prestigious Recording Academy, which votes on the Grammy Awards.

The concert choir is a resident company at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene. 

The concert will include works by Samuel Barber and other contemporary composers. Also on the program will be show tunes and romantic songs such as “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Taking a Chance on Love.” The local group will present Puerto Rican favorites.

While many of the choral selections will be sung a cappella, these more rhythmical selections will be accompanied by guest percussion band Tamborícua, conducted by Elia Cortés.

The Eugene (Oregon) Concert Choir’s mission is “to engage, inspire and enrich the community through performance of choral masterworks, diverse artistic experiences, and educational outreach,” according to its website. (eugeneconcertchoir.org)

Union Church is located at 2310 Laurel Street in Punta Las Marías, San Juan. The concert is free but donations are welcome.