In one week’s time, on Saturday, April 19, 2003, the Plymouth State College Chorale and Chamber Singers, together with the Hanover Chamber Orchestra and guest performer Eva Nagorka, will be presenting a musical celebration one night before the Easter holiday. In honor of the holy event whose annual impact has spanned centuries, much of the concert echoes that of the church’s Holy Week. In the program, the dynamics of struggle and darkness are contrasted against hopeful light – much like the events of the week preceding Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, according to many church views.
While previous concerts put on by the College Chorale and Chamber Singers have been secular in nature, this isn’t the first time that a religious flavor has been added to the repertoire. Last Spring, Verdi’s Requiem, a mass dedicated to the deceased, was performed before a full house in Silver. Divine themes were also explored with the PSC music department’s most recent Christmas concert, “A Joyful Noise.” From year to year, works both secular and religious in nature have been interspersed; and in past performances, Chorale and Chamber Singers have been involved with a wide variety of material. A few performances back, a concert of immigration – “The Golden Door” – took place. And while this year’s concert did happen to fall on the annual pinnacle for many religions, the specific date wasn’t selected by design. Explains concert conductor and PSC’s Director of Vocal Activities Dan Perkins, “It just happened to fall on that date.”
Perkins also describes in his program notes the issues associated with the religious themes, how his undergraduate students have worked with them, and the learning that took place from both sides: “Choosing repertoire for a concert presented by college students on the night before, what is considered by many, the most sacred day of the year is a challenge. Carefully considering the options, I chose to dive headfirst into the topics of sacrifice, suffering, redemption, and hope. The music has encouraged us to discuss the associated texts in the contexts of history, religion, and current world events.”
The concert’s high point will revolve around Gerald Finzi’s Lo, the Full Final Sacrifice, for choir and full orchestra. Keep one’s eye out for deeply contrasting images of both despair and hope, as well as a soaring conclusion whose beauty is unsurpassed in many epic works. Perkins had first performed Lo, the Full Final Sacrifice as an undergraduate student at Brigham Young University, and revisited it for this Easter’s concert. Other highlights will include Johannes Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody; featuring all men’s voices and mezzo-soprano/PSC faculty member Eva Nagorka; as well as the two pieces, Festina Lente and The Beatitudes, both composed by Estonian composer Arvo Part, who still lives to this day.
In addition to the widely acclaimed Hanover Chamber Orchestra, frequently having performed in the past with the Chorale and Chamber Singers, are seasoned vocalists from PSC’s student community. Featured soloists will be Robert St.Cyr, Elizabeth DeJulio, Chris Covill, Clifton French, Nathan Burcalow, Chris Ryan, Sarah Edmunds and Jennifer Stevens. Their choral talent, and more, are sure to provide an unforgettable Easter celebration on Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $5-$15, and the performance will take place in Hanaway Theater at the Silver Cultural Arts Center.