Two Noteworthy Community Concerts Coming Up For Easter

Apr 09, 2014

The fact that music can be more emotionally moving than words alone is a good reason to make note of two special upcoming concerts on Easter weekend. The first will be a free concert at St. Paul's Anglican church in Sydenham at 3:30pm on Good Friday, April 18 by a community choir comprised of 35 singers, ages nine and up from numerous local churches along with singers from the nearby surrounds. The choir will perform Sir John Stainer's popular oratorio titled The Crucifixion.

The piece, described by its composer as “A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer,” tells the story of Good Friday using narration, passages from the Bible and exquisite vocal and instrumental music that begins the story in Gethsemane and ends with the crucifixion. Under the direction of Brad Barbeau of St. Paul's Anglican church in Sydenham, who directed the same piece two years ago, this performance will include the 35-member chorus, many of whom will be singing it for the second time. The organist will be Ed Norman formerly of St. George's Cathedral in Kingston. Renowned soloist, baritone Phil Rodgers of Kingston, will sing the part of Jesus, and tenor soloist Jerod Buchmayer, a Queens University student and former singer from the Men and Boys Choir of Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa, will sing the narrator's part.

The Crucifixion was written in 1887 and Barbeau describes it as music that is “familiar, inspiring, dramatic and exciting with loads of energy and some beautiful solos and duets that are stunning to hear.” Guests are invited to bring a free will offering in support of Southern Frontenac Community Services in Sydenham, who offer a myriad of programs for seniors in the community.

The second concert, a one-hour early morning concert titled Son-Rise, will take place at Trinity United Church in Verona on Easter Sunday, April 20 at 7am. It will include members of the community choir, under the direction of Annabelle Twiddy and the choir will sing a wide-ranging repertoire of Easter songs in various genres, including the gospel song "Rise Up Easter Morning", Honegger's energetic Latin piece titled "Laudate Dominum" (Praise the Lord), Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" featuring Brad Barbeau on organ, an arrangement of the hymn "This Joyful Easter Tide", as well as a solo performance by renowned soprano and local singer/actor Connie Shibley, who will sing "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth". The concert will end with Handel's Hallejah Chorus and guests will be invited to the stage to sing along. In addition to the community choir, local country/gospel trio Vocal Legacy comprised of Ron Snider, Evelyn Snider and Terena Grice will be performing a number of songs that will also celebrate Easter in a different style and genre complementary to the season. The group, who have a big following, are well known for their harmonies and their very eclectic sound.

This concert is also free and guests are invited to make a donation to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, an organization that began in 1983 as a partnership of 15 different churches and church agencies who have been working together to fight global hunger. To date the Foodgrains Bank has provided half a billion dollars in assistance to people in over 80 countries around the world.