The Tusculum College Community Chorus will feature “Requiem” by the French composer Fauré during its spring concert on Monday, May 3.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus. David Hendricksen is the conductor for the group, and James Winfree is accompanist. The concert is free and open to the public.
The concert will begin with several short selections, including “This Land is Your Land,” three evocative choral poems by Swedish composer Hildor Lundvik and “The Excursion, “ a charming piece by Gioachino Rossini for chorus and piano. The opening will also feature “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” arranged for women’s voices by chorus member Susan McNabb who will conduct the piece.
Following a brief intermission, the chorus and orchestra will present the comforting “Requiem” by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Many requiems and other compositions contemplating death have been produced, some with the intention of being a grand memorial to one who has recently died and others with the aim to comfort to those who mourn. Fauré’s setting of the “Requiem” certainly falls into the latter category.
The orchestration omits violins, using only violas, cellos and basses in the string section. The rich texture this provides, along with the chromatic, harmonic language of the composition and some ethereal choral passages combine to make a wonderfully comforting setting of these age-old texts. For this work, the chorus will be joined by the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra and soloists Jill Jones, Zack Smith and Phil Thwing.
Founded in 1996 as a way to involve singers from throughout the community in a broad range of sacred and secular repertoire, the Tusculum College Community Chorus has grown to more than 50 singers.
For further information, please contact conductor David Hendricksen by phone at 423-638-0409 or email conductordavid@embarqmail.com.