Free Concert: Centralia College Vocal Ensembles

Come join us for a broad selection of music celebrating the holidays of January through March, along with selections from classical vocal music repertoire.

"Something Told the Wild Geese" is based on a beautiful poem by Rachel Field about the annual winter migration of geese. Hope for a peaceful New Year is expressed in "Bashana Haba'ah"
 by the Israeli team of Ehud Manor (lyrics) and Nurit Hirsch (music). To honor St. Patrick's Day, we will be singing "Celtic Prayer" by Mark Cabaniss and "Old Irish Blessing" set to music by Denes Agay. "O My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose" is based on a poem by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, and the music was composed by René Clausen. We will also be singing "May It Be" from the film, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring".

Classical selections on the program include "Ave Verum" by Mozart and "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" by Brahms. We will also be singing two works by contemporary choral composers, "Sing Me to Heaven" by Daniel Gawthrop and "Salmo 150" by Brazilian composer Ernani Aguiar. We are singing "Sure on this Shining Night" because it is just so beautiful. It was composed by Morten Lauridsen who is a Professor of Composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and a recipient of a National Medal of Arts in 2007, the highest honor given to artists by the United States government.

A men's ensemble will sing "Grace" which is "Amazing Grace" arranged by Mark Hayes. The men will also be singing the Beatles" tune "Yesterday" as sung by the R&B group Boyz II men. "Weep No More", a poem by John Keats set to new music by New Zealand composer David Childs, will be sung by a women's ensemble.

A free will offering will be collected and all donations will be given to the Lewis County Food Bank.

This event is sponsored by Pro Musica, the Centralia College Music club.