Chamber Choir at Lebanon Valley College to Perform Apr. 29

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Members of the Chamber Choir gather outside Miller Chapel

ANNVILLE, PA (04/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The 23rd Annual Spring Concert of the Lebanon Valley College Chamber Choir will be Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Zimmerman Recital Hall of the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery. There is no admission charge for the performance by the select, 20-voice chamber ensemble.

The Chamber Choir rehearses a cappella, and will perform works from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary vocal jazz arrangements. Highlights include a tribute to John Tavener (1944¬–November 12, 2013). The choir will perform "Funeral Ikos," which Taverner composed in 1984. The chant-like, Eastern Orthodox-influenced work is from "The Order for the Burial of Dead Priests." Other sacred works include a setting of Psalm 96 by J.P. Sweelinck, "Chantez à Dieu," and Edward Bairstow's early 20th-century anthem, "Jesu, the very thought of thee" on a text by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century).

Many secular works are featured, including the English madrigal "Weep, O Mine Eyes" by John Bennet, as well as love songs: one based on the Song of Solomon 4:9-16, "You Have Ravished My Heart," by the 21st-century Canadian composer, Stephen Chatman. Another is by Pennsylvania composer, Christopher Delp, on a text from the third act of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet," using the text, "Give Me My Romeo," which was composed in 1999.

From 1952,comes a great vocal jazz arrangement by Bernell Hales of "When I Fall In Love." Folk-song based tunes are also highlighted: Lane Price's arrangement for musica intima-a Canadian chamber choir-of "Down to the River to Pray," and James Erb's classic setting of Shenandoah. Featured popular music includes Steve Zegree's arrangement of "Bring Him Home" from "Les Misérables" (1986), and a vocal jazz arrangement of Sting's "Fields of Gold" (1993) by Greg Jasperse.

The Chamber Choir invites guests attending the recital to an hour of a cappella choral singing.

LVC's Chamber Choir, open to students by audition, is under the direction of Dr. Mark Mecham, chair and Clark and Edna Carmean Distinguished Professor of Music. His doctorate is in choral music, and he has experience in choral conducting, music education, and voice. Mecham also serves as an adjudicator, clinician, and consultant.

Lebanon Valley College offers numerous public performances by students, faculty, and guests of the College throughout the semester. For the list of recitals this spring, visit http://www.lvc.edu/music/student-recitals.aspx.