Chorale to Celebrate ‘Music for Life’ with Longwood Students

FARMVILLE – “Music for Life” is the theme of two spring concerts combining the Commonwealth Chorale and Longwood University’s Camerata and Chamber Singers. For visiting director Dr. Pam McDermott, “Music for Life” is more than a catchy phrase. It’s a philosophy she wants to pass along to her students.

“Music should be community based,” McDermott said. “Singing with the Chorale will allow my students to see how they can contribute as musicians later in life.”

McDermott selected the repertoire for the spring concerts with the varied ages of the choir in mind.

“I chose the ‘Gloria’ by Rutter because it’s contemporary,” McDermott said. “Then I paired that piece with more traditional music by Mozart, Vivaldi and Handel.”

The featured selection, John Rutter’s “Gloria,” is a contemporary piece as is “Alleluia,” by Longwood professor Dr. Gordon Ring. Traditional selections in the program include Mozart’s “Regina Coeli,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria” (first movement), and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” All share a theme of celebration for the Easter season.

“Last semester one of my students told me she really wanted to sing the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’” McDermott noted. “Students don’t experience these works in their schools today — often they’re not allowed to do anything with a sacred text.”

Rural school systems, McDermott added, often lack student numbers to perform such large choral works. The upcoming Chorale concerts will give students and older choir members a chance to share the experience together.

Initially Longwood students and the Chorale practiced separately, with students working on concert pieces during class time at Longwood and the Chorale holding practice every Tuesday night at Farmville Presbyterian Church.

Before the first concert on April 25 in Jarman Auditorium, students, Chorale members, instrumentalists and pianist will meet and put it all together.

“Being part of a performance of music like this is incredible,” McDermott said. “I can’t wait for students and members of the Chorale to meet each other.”

“Gloria,” the featured selection, is by English composer John Rutter. The first of three movements opens with a rousing brass prelude. The second movement, described by one commentator as “the sound of women weeping softly as they come to anoint Jesus in the tomb,” is more introspective. The final movement is described by another commentator as “a movement of vigorous rhythms with a final triumphant statement and pealing fanfares bound to leave performers and audience breathless.”

The second contemporary selection is by Dr. Gordon Ring, professor of music at Longwood University. Ring, who also directs the Longwood Wind Symphony, has composed numerous works for orchestra, chorus, jazz ensemble and soloists. His opera, “Highway 77,” was a finalist in the National Opera Association Chamber Opera Composition.

Both students and Chorale members look forward to performing music by a Farmville composer.

Mozart’s “Regina Coeli,” (Latin for Rejoice, Queen of Heaven) is traditionally sung from Easter Sunday through the Saturday before Pentecost. In “Regina Coeli,” Mozart incorporates solo voices that emerge from the choir. His intention, to bring a sense of joy to music of the church, is obvious.

Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” (first movement) has been described as a master class in choral writing. One of sacred music’s most uplifting choral works, “Gloria” is a joyful hymn of praise and worship.

Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “The Messiah,” another familiar addition to the Easter season, is also joyful.

There is, in fact, a sense of joy among older members of the choir as they perform, an example McDermott hopes her students will follow.

“Music is something that sort of fell into my lap,” Chorale member Judy Amos recalled. “My grandmother’s church needed a pianist, so I started out playing for them.”

She continued as church musician for 60 years in Italy, England and Virginia and served as organist and director of music for Crenshaw United Methodist Church in Blackstone from 1992 to 2017.

“I worked in civil service, so I didn’t really pursue music full time until I retired,” she added.

Amos stepped in to conduct the Chorale’s Christmas concert last year when longtime Artistic Director Norma Williams was unable to continue in that role.

“Music has always been a part of my life” Amos said. “It is always a joy. Music is something that lifts me up.”

Another Chorale member, Sarah Reynolds, a research science librarian at Longwood University, grew up in a house filled with music.

“My dad was a choral music major,” she recalled. “Church has been a helpful way for me to continue singing, and the Chorale is nice because we do more challenging music.”

Reynolds considers music in the same vein as organizing consultant and author Marie Kondo.

“Marie Kondo says to keep things in your life that spark joy,” Reynolds added. “For me, music sparks joy.”

McDermott agrees, and while she believes that a love of music begins in the classroom, it doesn’t end there.

“I’m grateful for the example of the Commonwealth Chorale,” McDermott concluded. “I hope my students will remember that participation in music is a lifelong choice.”

Concerts are scheduled for Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Longwood’s Jarman Auditorium and Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at Farmville United Methodist Church. Admission is free, and the community is invited.