Clear Blue Morning Songs of Hope, Strength and New Beginnings

Wimberley Community Chorus presents “Clear Blue Morning: Songs of Hope, Strength and New Beginnings” on April 5,6 & 7 in Avey Hall at Chapel in the Hills Church, Wimberley. Directed by Craig Aamot and accompanied by Pat Gillory, the concert has songs ranging from Clear Blue Morning by Dolly Parton, arranged by Craig Hella Johnson to The Awakening by Joseph Martin, to One Voice by the Wailing Jennys. Our FREE concerts, supported by donations, will surprise you, inspire you, and maybe make you wonder how a small area like the Wimberley Valley can have so many talented singers!

Craig Aamot joined the faculty at Texas State in the spring of 2013, conducting VocaLibre and the Texas State Men’s Choir. Under his direction, VocaLibre has earned a reputation for inspired and impactful presentation of themes of compassion, unity, and peace. His 75-voice Men’s Choir performed at the 2010 North Central Division ACDA convention and the 2008 National Convention of the Intercollegiate Men’s Chorus Association. Aamot comes to San Marcos from Wisconsin, where he led one of the largest and most respected high school choral programs in the Midwest. Aamot’s choirs have performed at state and divisional ACDA conventions, throughout the United States and Europe including Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Austria and the Czech Republic, in venues ranging from the Vatican to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Aamot is especially involved with exploring connections between the choral art, contemplative science, and the human experience. His work centers on artistic expression, programming and arts education that engage the whole human being; body, mind and spirit, returning to experiences of connection, deep listening, and inner and outer peace. In spring of 2011, he served as artistic director for the Appleton Compassion Project, a district-wide, yearlong collaborative that culminated in a multi-media musical performance that drew an audience of 2,000.

In addition to his work in choral music, Aamot is active locally and nationally as a quarterback coach and lecturer. A two-sport scholarship athlete in college, Aamot works with one of the premiere quarterback development programs in the country. Speaking and clinician engagements have taken him to over twenty states throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Pat Gillory’s love for piano music began early. As a four-year-old she sat beside the piano bench as her mother played her live piano music radio broadcast in Conroe. Known in Wimberley for her work as church pianist for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Pat also enjoys singing with the WCC (when not accompanying), playing with the Wimberley Valley Big Band, and working with local high school and college students as they learn and perform competitive solos. Pat’s Husband, Doug Gillory, noted band leader and jazz clarinetist, will be also play during the concert.

PLEASE NOTE we have 3 identical concerts, 3 days in a row on April 5, 6, and

7. The April 5 concert on Friday night at 7 pm usually has the best opportunity for you and your family to sit together. The April 6, Saturday night concert at 7 pm is busier and the April 7, Sunday afternoon concert at 3 pm has occasionally been standing room only. The Hays County Fire Marshall and Chapel in the Hills have set the audience capacity for the Chorus concerts at 275 persons. Each night the ushers will be handing out a free ticket for that date to each person entering and when the tickets are gone no one else can be admitted. There will not be any standing room since all areas other than aisle will be used for seating. Please come early if you want a good seat.