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Chorale to begin practice for 'Lessons and Carols' (8-4-05) The Piedmont College Chorale is seeking singers to perform in this year's Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols and a spring performance of one of Mozart's most acclaimed—and mysterious—works. The Chorale unites some 100 voices of students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community who wish to join in, said Dr. Wallace Hinson, director of ensembles at Piedmont College. Rehearsals will begin Aug. 22 and be held each Monday night at 6-8 p.m. in the Center for Worship and Music at the college in Demorest. Hinson's said this year's performances will include the increasingly popular Service of Lessons and Carols, at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. The concert features traditional Christmas carols and sacred music from around the world performed by the Chorale, the Piedmont Chambers Singers, and the Habersham Singers of Habersham County High School. "We will present music for the season by composers such as Hans Leo Hassler, Hubert Parry, Mark Sirett, and George Fredric Handel, as well as traditional carols on which those in attendance will be asked to sing," Hinson said. "Brass instruments will play a larger role this year, especially on the carols." Dr. James Mellichamp will again play the Sewell Organ. Conductors for the performance will include Hinson; Bobby Ivey, conductor of the Habersham Singers; and Micah Dingler, assistant conductor of the Piedmont Chorale. In April, the Chorale will continue the college's "Great Composers Series" with a performance of Mozart's "Requiem" with full orchestra. Mozart began composing "Requiem" shortly before his death in 1791 at the behest of an anonymous benefactor. He completed the first three movements, and after his death, portions of the composition were completed by one of his students, Franz Xaver Sussmayr. "Because 2005 will be the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, we have the opportunity--and responsibility--to celebrate his genius with the rest of the world," Hinson said. "While there are many works that would be appropriate for this occasion, such as the Great Mass in C Minor, the many smaller choral works, and even his operas, I felt that the Requiem would best celebrate his humanity and his musicianship." Hinson said that even though the work was left unfinished at the time of Mozart's death, "The Requiem gives us a glimpse into the incredible mind of this master musician and shows us a great deal of his intimate feelings about faith. Far from the rude child as he is portrayed in the movie 'Amadeus,' Mozart was a loving husband, father, and son who was quite devout in his faith. Mozart knew he was dying, yet continued to work on the Requiem until his last day, singing through parts from his bed with his wife, Constanze, and his student, Sussmayr, who later completed the work at the request of Mozart's widow. "Though very weak with fever, he would sing and stop to weep because he was overcome with grief that he was leaving his wife and children alone. Believing, in his ever worsening delirium, that he was writing this Requiem mass for himself, he drove himself to physical and emotional exhaustion to create a beautiful and moving monument to music and faith that has not only survived more than two hundred years, but has become one of the most important musical works of the last millennium." Shrouded in mystery in its creation and completion, the Requiem continues to captivate performers and audiences the world over. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to present this glorious work to our community, and hope there are singers in the northeast Georgia region who share my love for the work and would enjoy this opportunity," Hinson said. For more information about the Piedmont College Choral, contact Dr. Hinson at (706) 778-3000 or e-mail whinson@piedmont.edu. -30- |
Singers are wanted
for the Piedmont College Chorale, which will perform in the annual Concert
of Lessons and Carols with the Habersham Singers this December. The Chorale
will also perform Mozart's "Requiem" in the spring.
