A List 11/11/02 MUSIC FOR THANKSGIVING SEASON OFFERED BY UNIVERSITY CHORUS CANTON - A concert of music for the Thanksgiving season will be performed by the University Chorus in Gunnison Memorial Chapel at St. Lawrence University, on Saturday, November 16, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Both are open to the public, free of charge. The program will begin with works based on two favorite hymns associated with Thanksgiving. "Now thank we all our God," a Lutheran chorale by Johann Crüger, is the basis for a setting by Johann Pachelbel, the composer of the well-known "Canon." Ralph Vaughan Williams used the hymn "O God, our help in ages past," a paraphrase of Psalm 90 in his "O how amiable," originally written for the Abinger Pageant in 1934. The Chorus will sing the hymns a cappella preceding each piece. A seldom-heard work of Williams' younger contemporary, Benjamin Britten, will close the first half. The Canticle 2, Abraham and Isaac, is a mini-opera depicting the familiar Biblical story. The text is taken from the Chester Miracle Plays written in late 15th-century England. Soloists featured as the father-son duo are tenor Eric Key and alto Marilyn Constantine. University Chorus members will also serve as soloists for Vivaldi's Gloria. Sopranos Arlene Babich and Rebecca Daniels will be joined by altos Barbara Burdick and Erin McCarthy, as well as an orchestra of Crane School of Music faculty and students, in a performance of the Venetian composer's greatest choral work. The University Chorus is directed by Barry Torres and accompanied by Barbara Phillips-Farley. Founded in 1970, the Chorus is a community-based choir sponsored by the music department at St. Lawrence. It draws its membership from the student body, faculty and staff of the University, as well as from throughout the North Country area. The 40-voice ensemble is featured in the annual Candlelight Service at Gunnison Memorial Chapel as well as its own fall and spring concerts.-30- Back To News Releases Back to St. Lawrence Homepage