The Lee University Chorale will present its fall concert Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Street Annex (formerly First Baptist Church).
Dr. William R. Green, dean of the School of Music, will conduct this 39-voice select ensemble in a program including the music of Gioacchino Rossini, Brahms, Haydn, Schubert, Moses Hogan, and renowned arranger Mark Wilberg.
The program will highlight composers from contrasting periods who share similar content or purpose. Rossini, a Romantic-era composer, sets “O Salutaris Hostia” with lavish dynamic contrast and emotion. Renaissance composer Tomas Luis de Victoria sets a similar sacred Latin text, but with starkly contrasting polyphonic texture. Twentieth-century American composer Richard Burchard uses dissonant harmonies and a full texture, bringing new interest to an ancient Latin text.
The concert will continue with settings of German part-songs, African-American spirituals, and sacred American works based on psalm texts, each with contrasting stylistic traits indicative of their composer and time period.
The Lee University Chorale serves the School of Music as the premier ensemble for standard choral music. Chorale has been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall and has traveled as a part of the Celebration of American Music in Italy.
While traveling, the ensemble was privileged to perform in many of Italy’s great cathedrals, including performances at the Vatican and St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. Most recently, Chorale participated in a choral residency at major cathedrals in Ireland, including St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Waterford Cathedral.
The concert is open to the public and free of charge. For information, contact the School of Music at 614-8240.