Arizona Repertory Singers 2005

About the Arizona Repertory Singers

Critically regarded as “Tucson’s crown jewel of choral groups,” the Arizona Repertory Singers is a 50-voice choral ensemble performing under the brilliant direction of Dr. Jeffry A. Jahn. The singers, selected through a rigorous audition process, maintain full-time careers in business, education, engineering, information technology, law, medicine, social service and science.

Now in its 26th season, the volunteer group rehearses Tuesday evenings from August to May. Our signature delightfully eclectic programming spans music of the Renaissance, 16th century madrigals and classics to spirituals, Americana, modern music and new works commissioned for the group.

Although ARS specializes in a cappella choral music, many of our concerts include works with instrumental accompaniment such as string quartet, percussion, oboe, piano, harp or organ.

The group celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Gala Concert on May 2, 2009. “This concert was a celebration of what ARS is all about,” said Dr. Jeffry Jahn, ARS Music Director. “While other groups specialize in one era or style, this group does them all – and does them well.”

The concert was highlighted by the premiere of a new set of a cappella works ARS commissioned for the occasion. Three lyrical poems by 20th century American poet William Stanley Braithwaite were set to music by composer Vijay Singh, whose works in the classical and jazz idioms are rapidly gaining international attention.

Singh, who teaches music at Central Washington University, attended the concert and was pleased with how his composition, “Songs for Braithwaite,” was interpreted and performed. The work was dedicated to Dr. Helen Schaefer, a founding ARS board member and longtime supporter.

ARS was founded in 1984 as the Arizona Recital Choir by Dennis M. Bonner, then a doctoral student in choral conducting at the University of Arizona. The choir incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1985 and took its current name in 1986. Under Bonner’s direction, ARS was primarily a touring choir. In 1985 the choir participated in the Europa Cantat IX in Strasbourg, France, prior to a concert tour of Germany and Austria. In 1986 the singers performed at the World Exposition in Vancouver and toured British Columbia and the state of Washington. In 1988, ARS placed third in the chamber choir division of the 13th annual Bela Bartok competition in Debrecen, Hungary, which preceded a concert tour of Hungary and Yugoslavia. Foundation, corporate and private support enabled ARS to host the Kolscey Choir from Debrecen in the fall of 1989. The two choirs toured together throughout Arizona and received national coverage on "CBS Sunday Morning" with Charles Kuralt.

Since 1990, when Dr. Jahn assumed the directorship, ARS has concentrated on performance and local recognition, while continuing to tour on a more limited basis. ARS toured the Four Corners area of the southwestern U.S. in 1994, presented one of the concerts on the statewide Vivaldi Festival in 2001, and traveled to Durango, Colorado, in 2001 to premiere "Desert Songs" at the Animas Music Festival.

Over the years ARS has taken its music to new audiences and rural Southern Arizona venues. Local collaborations have included a performance on a University of Arizona faculty recital and shared concerts with other local musical ensembles. In keeping with our delightfully eclectic repertoire, ARS provided back-up vocals for Barry Manilow in his last Tucson appearance at the Tucson Convention Center. ARS has often performed with the Tucson Pops Orchestra and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. In December 2000, Dr. Jahn conducted the Tucson Symphony Chamber Orchestra and the Arizona Repertory Singers in three performances of J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. In 2001, ARS performed three sold-out performances of Messiah with the TSO under the direction of Maestro George Hanson.

During the past ten years ARS has either premiered or commissioned a new piece of music approximately every other year. ARS has produced and released several CDs since 1995, and in 1998 was awarded a recording grant from Tucson’s local National Public Radio affiliate, KUAT, for the recording of several works especially intended for local broadcast. The standing-room-only holiday concerts at the Benedictine Monastery, “What Sweeter Music” (2007) and “A Silver Christmas Celebration” (2008) were recorded and broadcast on KUAT-FM as part of its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day programming.

The Arizona Repertory Singers has contributed to local organizations almost since its inception. For sixteen years ARS donated half the proceeds from their Christmas concerts at historic Mission San Xavier del Bac to the mission’s restoration fund. One CD, Christmas at San Xavier, was recorded at the 1999 Mission concert. ARS now performs regularly at the Benedictine Monastery and donates part of its concert proceeds to the upkeep of that facility.

Other educational outreach has included awarding vocal scholarships to high school student winners in the local National Association of the Teachers of Singing competition, collaborative concerts with local high school choirs, as well as the donation of sheet music to the school music library of choirs participating in the ARS Music for the Young and the Young at Heart concert series.

The Arizona Repertory Singers is a participating member of Chorus America and was pictured on the cover of the organization’s 2001-2002 Membership Directory.

Our Mission:

Our Vision:

The Arizona Repertory Singers strive to be the Southwest’s premier repertory choral group. By performing and recording music of the highest caliber, members also aim to be the best singers they can be.

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Maintained by: Carl Foster/Duane Gibson
Updated October 11, 2009

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