The Muskegon Chamber Choir, with its Music Director David Wikman, will give the final concert of its 2012-2013 season on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Muskegon’s St. Mary’s Church. Cheryl Lohman from Montague is the accompanist for the Chamber Choir.
Entitled “Heart and Flowers,” not Hearts and Flowers, the concert explores sacred music from the heart of several different Christian traditions. The choir will open with “This Is the Day” a 16th century work for double choir. Following will be a chant from the Russian Orthodox church of the 18th century, “Hospodi Pomilui.” The German chorale tradition of the 17th century will be represented by “Praise to the Lord” as arranged by F. Melius Christiansen, called by many “The father of unaccompanied choral singing in America.” Traditional Southern American worship will bring “I Will Arise” a folk hymn from the Appalachians.
Samuel Barber’s “Agnus Dei” drawn from his “Adagio for Strings” might remind the hearer of Oliver Stone’s film, Platoon in which the piece is repeatedly heard. “Humble Service” a tune from The Sacred Harp, a 19th century American Hymnal, will follow the Barber piece. The first half of the concert will end with a delightful, sprightly piece for choir and two trumpets based on Psalm 20:2-3 by the little-known Polish composer who was an early contemporary of J.S. Bach, Grzegorz Gorczycki.
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was a leading figure in British classical music of the 20th century. He was comfortable composing in many different genres, but seemed to favor choral music. Many of his works for chorus alone or chorus and organ or orchestra are staples of the repertoire. The Chamber Choir has chosen to sing Britten’s “Five Flower Songs” Opus 47, for this concert. These pieces set poetry by English poets Robert Herrick, George Crabbe and John Clare. The pieces are dedicated to British philanthropists Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary in April of 1950.
Tickets for the concert, $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors and students, are available at Meyer Music on Sternberg Road across from the Lakes Mall. Any remaining will be sold at the door beginning at 6:45 p.m.
St. Mary’s Church is accessible to the mobility impaired.
For further information, the Chamber Choir’s website is: www.muskegonchamberchoir.com.