By: centraljersey.com
This year Hopewell Valley Youth Chorale has reason to celebrate.
On Jan. 23, the choir will celebrate its fifth anniversary season with its winter performance, "Looking Up," at 4 p.m. at the Pennington Presbyterian Church.
Under the direction of Michele and William Alford, the chorale will perform pieces that reflect on the literal, celestial idea of "looking up" as well as the figurative meanings of optimism and hope.
Music of Mendelssohn, Purcell, Raminsh, folk music from Armenia, Bulgaria and West Africa, as well as lyrical contemporary compositions will be presented by the young singers from the greater Hopewell area.
This year, the chorale invites all HVYC alumni to return and join them in singing the final song, "Give Us Hope," HVYC’s signature piece by composer Jim Papoulis.
Making his debut with the chorale is accompanist Henco Espag, award-winning graduate of the Berkeley School of Music and native of South Africa. He will be joined by NY percussionist and Pennington native, Sebastian Guerrero.
The chorale is made up of two choirs: the Preparatory Choir (grades three-five) conducted by Michele Alford and the Concert Choir (grades six-nine) conducted by William Alford. Several pieces will be performed by the combined choirs.
The chorale begins rehearsals each season in September and rehearses weekly at The Pennington School.
"This organization provides boys and girls in the Mercer County region the opportunity to explore, prepare and perform exceptional choral music in an effort to better the world around them – ‘Bringing Hope Through Song,’" a spokesman said.
Tickets are $20 at the door, $10 for seniors and children 12 and under. Special patron seating is available for a $25 donation per seat. For tickets or for more information about joining the chorale, e-mail [email protected] or call 651-5474.

