Near is new conductor for GV Community Chorus

Choral, organ and church music composer Gerald Near has been selected the new director of the Green Valley Community Chorus.

The Director of Music at St. Francis of-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Near was initially approached by the chorus’ search committee when Leo Ellison resigned at the end of the 2007 season. He was approached again when Marge Spiering resigned at the end of this year’s season.

“They approached me and here we are ... I found the search committee to be very congenial. The chorus is a good group and is capable of doing very good things,” Near said.

Near’s first major role will be to lead the 95-member chorus in its 35th concert season. “Songs of the Season” will be held Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church.

The concert will be a blend of sacred classics such as “The Messiah” and other great works of the season.

“The first half will be classic pieces; the second half will be lighter pieces with traditional songs such as ‘Sleigh Ride,’” Near said.

Known as a composer with a degree in conducting, Near is an organist who has studied with three noted composers at the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.

And though he’s known mainly for writing sacred music pieces he said he thoroughly enjoys Broadway music — Rodgers and Hammerstein, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Lerner and Lowe.

What motivates Near to write a new composition? He said it’s usually being commissioned.

“The organ parts are easy, the choral parts are harder. Some pieces write themselves, some are more time consuming,” he said.

Neither tension nor relaxation work best as a creative spur for Near when he’s composing a new piece.

“It’s the deadline — and the consideration of the audience for which the work is aimed.”

Artists, including musicians, are known to be critical of their own works. Saying he’s satisfied with what he has created is the highest praise Near would give himself. He acknowledged that while an audience likely won’t hear it, he’ll hear flaws in his own works.

“J.S. Bach was absolute perfection. But who knows how he felt about his works,” he said.

What inspires a renowned musician such as Near to do his best?

“Not wanting to make a fool of myself in public,” he said.

Not a chance.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.

Start singing

Rehearsals start Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Community Performing Arts Center, 1250 W. Continental Road.

Auditions for new members will be held immediately following this rehearsal.

Information: chorus president Eloise Fredrickson at 648-7317.