“St. Mark Passion” Community Concert To Mark Good Friday In Sydenham

Mar 21, 2013

A special performance of the Saint Mark Passion by a community choir consisting of members of the Trinity United Choir in Verona, St. Paul's United in Harrowsmith, plus singers from the community and Kingston, will be performed at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Sydenham on Good Friday, March 29 at 3:30pm. The concert, which is sure to be a memorable and moving one, will see the 30 plus member choir perform the notably difficult oratorio, which was written by Charles Wood in the 1920s and tells the moving and mesmerizing story of the Crucifixion. The work includes numerous solos, chorus and organ sections. It will be directed by Brad Barbeau of St. Paul's in Sydenham with organist Ian Bevell of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Kingston.

Annabelle Twiddy, musical director at Trinity United Church in Verona, has rehearsed the piece for over 80 hours with the Trinity United Choir in preparation for the concert. She will also be singing alto at the concert and says that the work has “numerous special effects, is incredibly moving and is sure to send chills up your spine.” She added that the calibre of the piece attracts singers who want to sing something musically significant and she explained that the piece “moves along very smoothly, with the music fitting the words of the story incredibly well.” The work was commissioned by an English archbishop in the UK who wanted to hear something other than the typical popular pieces written for this central event in the Christian faith. Unlike Sir John Stainer's work, “The Crucifixion”, which was performed last year at St. Paul's, the Saint Mark Passion includes ever changing music with very little repetition. This one time performance by local singers is definitely not to be missed. There is no admission charge but all donations will go to the Grace Centre. For information call 613-376-3003.