Choral concert: An Evening of Psalms
The Skidmore Community Chorus and Vocal Chamber Ensemble will perform in concert at
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
Directed by Katie Gardiner, the Skidmore Community Chorus and the Vocal Chamber Ensemble will begin the evening performing Mendelssohn's Psalm 95, Kommt, lasst uns anbeten, which is a romantic, German, religious work that was composed in 1838. The second piece will be Bach's Cantata 106, Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, a sacred cantata written for four parts. Bach was just 22 when he created the opening sonatina, moved by Biblical texts to form this masterpiece.
Following these songs, Parry's I was glad will be performed, which was commonly sung in Anglican churches and performed as a psalm during the coronation of British monarchs. The hymn is known to be a prayer for the prosperity of Jerusalem. The evening will conclude with Viadana's Exultate Justi, which is a sacred, Latin hymn from Psalm 32. It is celebrated as a psalm that contains poignant melodies within simplistic sections.
The Skidmore Community Chorus is an exceptional ensemble whose singers range from those who have never sung in a chorus in their lives to people who have prepared and performed on numerous occasions. Skidmore students in the Community Chorus major in everything the college offers. The community members' occupations include a variety of professions, stay-at-home parents, as well as some exceptional high school students. Skidmore Choral Director Gardiner says, "It is a wonderfully eclectic mix, to which every person contributes something special and unique."
Admission for the Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Skidmore Community Chorus performance is $8 general admission, $5 seniors and Skidmore faculty/staff/retirees/alumni, and free for students and children. For advance reservations click here or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-5321 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired. For more information, please click here.
