Choral Masterworks Concert Features Music Spanning 250 Years

More than a hundred singers will be featured in Westmont’s free Masterworks Choral Concert, Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street.

The concert will feature the Westmont College Choir and Chamber Orchestra performing Handel’s Coronation Anthem, “Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened.” Also, the combined choirs of Westmont, Trinity Episcopal Church and El Montecito Presbyterian and orchestra will perform “a new Creation,” an extended work by contemporary American composer Renee Clausen.

The combined choir will number 110 singers. Featured soloists will be drawn from the Westmont College Choir. Participating ensembles are led by Mike Eglin, Grey Brothers, Emily Sommermann and Michael Shasberger, who will also be conducting the concert.

Portions of the program will be repeated by the Westmont and El Montecito Presbyterian Choirs in worship at El Montecito Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

The two works span over 250 years, but have many similarities. Both sparkle with innovative harmonies and engaging melodies. Handel's work was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1721. It was one of four such pieces that were written for that event, and at least one of them has been performed at every British coronation since.

Clausen's work is structured around a compilation of texts drawn from poetic, Scriptural and liturgical sources to form a dramatic whole. The work is in 12 movements, and features a variety of combinations of musical forces from sparse movements for solo oboe and singer, to full orchestra, solo quartet, chorus and organ.

For more information, contact the music department at (805) 565-7040 or e-mail pubaffairs@westmont.edu. For directions to campus, visit the college Web site at www.westmont.edu.