This Event has Passed
Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys - Lenten Meditations
This year the choir has chosen readings all from the Book of Luke to tell the greatest story ever told…the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Through scripture, poetry, art and music, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys will bring to life this powerful, life changing story. They will begin with two carols announcing Christ’s birth 2000 years ago: Sally Beamish’s gentle “In the Stillness” followed by John Tavener’s austere “The Lamb.”
We then meet up with the young adolescent Jesus in the temple, worrying his parents and confounding the religious leaders with his wisdom: Thomas Morley’s “Nolo Mortem Peccatoris.”
The choir will then jump forward to the start of Holy Week with the Palm Sunday anthem: “Ingrediente Domino” by George Malcolm. Soon, Luke will share with us Peter’s bitter sorrow having denied his Lord three times: “An Heart That’s Broken and Contrite” by George Oldroyd.
As Jesus cries out to his Father from the cross, the choir will sing a setting of Christ’s agonizing declaration “Eli, Eli!” by Gyorgy Deak-Bardos. After this, Jesus will proclaim “It is finished” and He will give up His Spirit. After a silent pause, Ed Clifford (of the Grand Rapids Symphony) will accompany the choir in a setting of Orlando Gibbons “Drop, Drop Slow Tears” in a haunting new arrangement for acapella choir with solo soprano saxophone counter melody by Christian Forshaw.
But the story does not end with death…the joy of resurrection will slowly reveal that new life awaits us all. The choir will turn this corner first by singing an extended setting from the Book of Common Prayer “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” by William Croft along with Henry Purcell’s “Thou Knowest Lord.”
Joy will then show that it cannot be contained as a small chamber orchestra (strings, brass, percussion) all players from the Grand Rapids Symphony will join with the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys to conclude the program with all five movements of George Frideric Handel’s Coronation Anthem “The King Shall Rejoice.”
Those attending will also have the opportunity during this journey to join their voices with the choir singing “All Glory, Laud and Honor” as well as the Easter hymn “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”.
Mark your calendar’s now…let this very special concert bring the hope and love of Easter into your heart this coming Easter season.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2926950-0
