By Faith Knabe
PHILOMUSICA CONCERT CHOIR
DENNIS BOYLE, DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR
“Sacred Song, Psalms and Celebrations”
Philomusica Concert Choir is pleased to announce its Spring concerts on Saturday, May 18 at 8 pm and on Sunday, May 19 at 4 pm at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church at 1740 Route 130 North, North Brunswick, NJ. The choir will perform both a capella and accompanied by Shea Velloso at the organ.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s birth, the choir will present his “Festival Te Deum”. Other songs of praise include Hans Leo Hassler’s “Cantate Domino”, the SSATB version which is less familiar to audiences than the SATB version; William Mathias’ “Let the People Praise Thee, O Lord” subtitled “An Anthem Composed for the Marriage of H R H the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer”; and more!
“From The Bay Psalm Book” includes excerpts from Psalm 47, Psalm 23, and Psalm 150 set to music by Jean Berger. The “Bay Psalm Book” is the first book written and printed in what is now the United States. It was assembled in 1640 in Cambridge, Massachusetts by printer Stephen Daye, first printer of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The full title is “The Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English Metre” and represents what was most sacred to the Puritans – a faithful translation of God’s word to be sung in worship by the entire congregation. (American Treasures of the Library of Congress Website)
In a different vein, Philomusica will sing several selections from “Shaker Songs” arranged by Kevin Siegfried. Music was of the utmost importance to the Shakers who believed in dancing in worship. Music was one of few means of artistic expression, and many of the songs “are achingly beautiful. Many have a haunting, almost otherworldly quality to them”. (Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, KY Website).
The last segment of the concert includes three rousing spirituals – “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” and “Ain’-a that Good News” arranged by William Dawson, and “Poor Man Lazrus” arranged by Jester Hairston.
Advance tickets: $17 general admission, $15 seniors/students, and $8 children under 13. Regular tickets: $2 more at the door. For additional information or to order tickets, call 888-744-5668, email [email protected], or visit www.philomusica.org.
We hope you will be able to join us for this unique program. There will be a receptions after each concert.
