Harmonies of hope: Masterworks to unite community voices for peace
Harmonies of hope: Masterworks to unite community voices for peace
The Masterworks concert will take place Sunday at 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
The much-anticipated Masterworks concert is promising an afternoon of community spirit. This event will showcase the talents of the Concert Choir, Chapel Choir, a community choir comprised of alumni and local members, and a community orchestra.
The repertoire consists of two pieces by the English composers Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The concert will feature Britten's "Rejoice in the Lamb" and Vaughan Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem."
“I've always wanted to do Benjamin Britten's 'Rejoice in the Lamb,'“ said Director of Choral Music and Associate Professor of Music Dr. Henry Waters. “This piece is written for organ accompaniment only, instead of a full orchestra. Fortunately, I get to work with Bethel alumnus Chris Shaw, an outstanding organist, and it was like, of course, we have to do this work because I have the organist."
"This year, the pieces that Dr. Waters picked are more contemporary. They're twentieth-century pieces, and last couple of years, we've had mostly classical era composers,” shared junior Peter Buller from Inman, Kan. “It's exciting to sing newer stuff that feels a bit more contemporary.
Senior Claira Janssen from Beatrice, Neb. added that “this is my fourth year being a part of Masterworks, and I am very excited for the work this year. I think my freshman and junior years, we did the same music so I'm excited for this new challenging music and having two different pieces that also have a larger world application."
Waters emphasized the inclusive nature of the rehearsals, where students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members come together to prepare for this grand musical event. "It is not only for students on campus but also any community member, any alumni, any faculty, staff, any and everybody who wants to sing a masterwork is able to sing a masterwork," Waters said.
“These are both pieces that are kind of in protest of war,” said Janssen, reflecting on the messages embedded in the chosen pieces. “And so, it's a really good message for battle. And I think people, if they're able to grasp that or grasp that in the program notes, I think they'll be really moved by our message."
The concert was programed to provide some variety and levity. The Britten Piece provides a more lighthearted start to the concert, moving on to a heavier theme with Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem.”
"Music in general has a way of allowing you to expand the horizons … it's a way to think about life differently,” said Buller. “It's a different mode of living when you're performing music or you're experiencing it." This is the essence which the Masterworks Concert aims to deliver — a transformative experience that goes beyond mere melodies that resonates deeply within the hearts and minds of all who participate and attend.
The Masterworks concert is Sunday at 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall. There will also be a pre-concert talk held at 3:15 p.m.