The Boulder Chorale's Spring Concert performance of William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast truly proved to be a feast for the senses, thanks to all the hard work, dedication and perseverance of our members. The total success of this effort was due in no small part to the unwavering guidance of our music director, Maestra Laura Dreilich, who not only expertly prepared our group but helped significantly to prepare our collaborators, the Colorado Mormon Choir, while consulting with the conductor of the Jefferson Symphony on a regular basis. This was our group's first collaboration with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Antonia Joy Wilson, and the extra time and effort to "commute" to Golden for dress rehearsals proved well worth it on the night of May 3 at the Colorado School of Mine's Green Center Auditorium. After the opening instrumental piece, "Manifesto for 12 Brass & Timpani", the nearly 200 voices of the combined choirs launched into Beethoven's "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage", Op.112, which was truly a treat for singers as well as listeners alike. Then after intermission came the "main course -a sumptuous feast of orchestral skill, choral excellence and the superb artistry of the baritone solo. Filling this role was Steven Taylor, a long-time soloist in many of the works performed by the Boulder Chorale. Mr. Taylor's versatile bass-baritone voice was well suited for the powerful and majestic text, often sung unaccompanied, which is the voice of Babylon and its king, Belshazzar. On that evening, Mr. Taylor's interpretation was extremely expressive, and the interaction between the soloist and the chorus in many parts of the piece, where the story is being dramatically played out, was absolutely seamless.

The Green Center auditorium was filled to near capacity and the audience seemed mesmerized from the first hushed whispers of Beethoven's Meerestille to the last triumphal "Alleluia" of Belshazzar' 5 Feast. The Boulder Chorale successfully met the challenge of adding an English-language piece to our repertoire. Adding even more to the regalness of the occasion was the fact that the Boulder Chorale appeared for the first time in full formal attire, marking a festive end to a year which has certainly been a "Banquet of Voices".

If you participated in last season's programs, you know what a thrill singing in a large scale performances can be. I thank you and applaud you for your efforts. If you haven't sung with the Boulder Chorale, or have just been away lately, I urge you to contribute your voice and find out what the festivities are all about!