A List
11/10/03

WORK OF 'MUSICAL DEMOCRAT' FEATURED BY UNIVERSITY CHORUS

CANTON – "Ralph Vaughan Williams: Musical Democrat" is the theme for concert 
performances by the University Chorus on Saturday, November 15, at 8 p.m. and 
Sunday, November 16, at 4 p.m. in Gunnison Memorial Chapel at St. Lawrence 
University. Both events are open to the public, free of charge.
	The concerts feature the University Chorus, directed by Barry Torres 
and accompanied by Barbara Phillips-Farley, with an orchestra of Crane School 
of Music faculty and students, plus area professional msuicians, joined by the 
Laurentian Singers.
	The program features the music of 20th-century English composer Ralph 
Vaughan Williams, whose music and life expressed a vision for humanity that 
was both transcendent and practical. While being a confirmed agnostic (an 
atheist in his early years), Vaughan Williams nevertheless wrote much moving 
sacred music, believing firmly in the "perfect-ability" of humankind and the 
ultimate transcendence of good in all life. He was also a leading exponent of 
the folksong preservation movement in the early 20th century, and his 
compositional style is imbued with the flavor of English folksong.
	Artists featured in the University Chorus concerts include John Lindsey, 
professor of violin at the Crane School of Music, playing "The Lark Ascending," 
a romance for violin and orchestra, and Lisa Scrivani-Tidd, St. Lawrence 
University organist.
	Other works to be performed are "Serenade to Music," a setting of text from 
Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice; folksong arrangements of "Just as the 
tide was flowing" and "The Turtle Dove"; "Valiant-for-Truth," a setting of text 
from John Bunyan's "A Pilgrim's Progress," performed by the Laurentian Singers; 
and "The Hundredth Psalm", written in 1929 and reworked for performance at 
Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1952. Based on the "Old Hundredth Psalm Tune," 
the piece concludes with a rousing rendition of the Doxology Hymn to be sung 
by chorus and audience alike, with full orchestra and organ making a "joyful 
noise."
	For more information, contact the music department at 315-229-5192.

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