Amassing so much talent everyone can barely squeeze onto one stage, the finale of this year's Dick Johnson Concert Series marshals vocalists and musicians from around the region.
Nearly 250 in all.
Presenting "Lux Aeterna” and "Mass of the Children” Sunday afternoon at the First Congregational Church, the singers include the church's Festival Choir, the Grand Traverse Chorale, the Traverse City West Senior High School Chorale, the NMC Chamber Singers, the NMC Chorale and the Northwestern Michigan Children's Concert Choir. In addition, more than 40 musicians will participate in the annual event. Both the NMC Concert Choir and the West High School Chorale are singing with the group for the first time.
"It's definitely inspiring, one of the unique things is that we've got so many different age levels: from elementary school up through 80-year-old singers,” said Mel Larimer, director of music emeritus for the First Congregational Church. "So we'll have a wide span of ability level and experience level.”
The finale of the 2006-2007 Dick Johnson Concert Series, this is the eighth year of the annual community sing. Regular participants are drawn from churches and other very loyal groups, pitching in year after year.
"There's so much versatility that makes us so beautiful,” said Earl Windnagle, who has joined in every year. "It's most inspiring, there are good people all around us. It's a lot of work but it's worth it.”
Windnagle terms both pieces on the program "masterpieces:” "Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen and "Mass of the Children” by John Rutter. While the community has heard works by Rutter before, specifically his "Requium” as a fund-raiser after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Larimer noted that Lauridsen's music is new. In addition, the "Mass of the Children” has not been sung here before.
"He's very popular right now, lots of people are doing his work,” he said. "Most of his works are choral, either a cappella or accompanied by the piano. This is one of the largest, if not the largest works, he's composed for the orchestra and choir.”
"But it's a beautiful work, both of them are, and I think the audience is going to be treated to some really wonderful music they have not heard before,” Larimer added.
Mark Puchala, co-founder of the Northwestern Michigan Children's Choir and an instructor at Northwestern Michigan College and chair of the music department, terms the compiled musical endeavor a "partnership.” Puchala will conduct the Mass of the Children and is thrilled to have his 60-voice Concert Choir participate in that 35-minute number; they will not sing the other piece.
"The literature is very exciting to the singers and it will be to the listeners as well,” Puchala noted of the whole program. "When we have this collection of voices it allows us to do things we would not be able to do individually.”
Molly Grettenberger, an eighth grade student at Traverse City East Junior High, is pleased to lift her voice with many other musicians Sunday.
"It's really cool because we get to be with the orchestra and all the other choirs,” said the member of the Concert Choir. "I really like the piece, it's kind of challenging but most of it is OK.”
The concert featuring "Lux Aeterna” and "Mass of the Children” will be presented on Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road. A free will offering will be accepted. For more information, call the church at 947-6698 or see their Web site at www.fcctc.org.