Spring Concert: A Celebration of American Women Composers – March 1 @ 3:00 pm

On Sunday, March 1^st at 3:00 p.m. in the First Parish sanctuary, the Adult Choir will present their spring concert: A Celebration of American Women Composers.  We will explore the solo and choral works of Amy Cheney Beach, the first American woman composer to be recognized and Florence B. Price, the first African American female composer to have her symphonic works performed. Beach’s musical language is deeply romantic with beautiful soaring melodies and rich, chromatic harmonies. Florence Price’s music, while deeply classical is a delight to the ear with influences from the jazz idiom.

The concert will feature Alice Parker’s Melodious Accord: A Concert of Praise.  In this cantata, based upon hymn tunes and texts from the shape note tradition, we hear formal, classic music in the opening chorus, “Zion,” the familiar “Come, Ye Disconsolate,” and the charming duet, “Spring”.  There are joyful rhythmic dances and folk tunes with soaring modal melodies as well as a cheerful gospel hymn, “The Parting Hymn,” which came from Wales.  The work also contains two magnificent congregational hymns, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” and “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.”

Soloists will be Jennifer Bates and Jane Hagness, sopranos; Andrea Graichen, alto; Martin Lescault, tenor; and John David Adams, bass.  Instrumentalists are Ross Miller and Gerry Flanagan, trumpets; Sebastian Jerosch and Jared Morneau, trombones; Virginia Flanagan, harp; and Harold Stover, piano.

Tickets will be available in the church office beginning February 3^rd and will be sold after worship in the vestry on February 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, and March 1^st.  Ticket prices are $15.00 for advanced sales, $20.00 at the door, and students are free.  Anyone who wishes to attend the concert for whom the ticket price is a financial hardship should contact the church office for a ticket.