Two of Central Methodist University’s most talented singing groups, the Chorale and Conservatory Singers, will soon come together for an open-to-the-public concert.
The annual fall performances are happening on Sunday, November 4, at 4 p.m. in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Fayette campus.
The Chorale’s program will be chosen from music they will perform on their upcoming tour, which is taking place November 15-20.
Pieces include “Jubilate Deo” by Giovanni Gabrileli (1554-1612), “A Jubilant Song” by Norman Dello Joio (1913-2008), “Zigeunerlieder Op. 103” (Gypsy Songs) by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), “The Music of Stillness” by Elaine Hagenberg, “I’ll Fly Away” arranged by Craig Courtney, “Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten” arranged by William Hawley, and “Sit Down Servant” by Stacey V. Gibbs.
The Conservatory Singers’ program is titled, “All of Us.” The music addresses themes from the freshman common read, Ethan Hawke’s Rules for a Knight – a fictional work exploring 20 essential virtues to develop and contemplate over a lifetime, as well as a commemoration of the centenary of World War I.
Veterans are encouraged to attend, and there also will be a freewill offering taken for local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Pieces the Conservatory Singers will perform include “Swedish Harvest Song,” a traditional Swedish folk song arranged by Robert F. Swift, and “Hear My Prayer,” an original hymn-like work by Moses Hogan, dedicated to the memory of Jester Hairston.
Also to be paired and performed as a set in honor of this year’s First World War Centenary will be “There Will Come Soft Rains,” a moving work by current CMU student and music education major Gannon Craig, and “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye,” an Irish folk song arranged by Alice Parker. This song was first published in London in 1867 and was popular in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States into the early 20th century. It tells the story of a soldier and is often considered an anti-war song.
“I Will Be A Child of Peace,” a traditional Shaker hymn arranged by Elaine Hagenberg, also will be performed, and the program will close with “All of Us” by Craig Hella Johnson, conductor of the Grammy award-winning choral ensemble, Conspirare.
“All of Us” is the closing movement from the composer’s “fusion oratorio” Considering Matthew Shepard, in which Johnson addresses the tragic death of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in October of 1998. It is a jubilant song of celebration, mixing gospel and chorale styles. The composer explains that the work is a “Song of celebration – raising up the voices of all of us, with special attention given to those in our world who have been marginalized, mistreated, or simply not seen.” The work will feature a small ensemble of female soloists.
