St Rose Festival Chorus To Perform This Weekend

The St Rose of Lima Church Festival Chorus will present its fourth annual chorus and orchestra concert on Palm Sunday, April 4, at 7 pm.

The chorus, directed by Joseph J. Jacovino, Jr, music director at St Rose, will consist of approximately 70 talented singers from St Rose Choir, plus singers from area churches and choral groups. The singers have been rehearsing on Sunday evenings since the end of February to prepare for the concert.

The featured cantata will be I Am, composed in 1980 by David Clydesdale. In Mr Clydesdale’s words, “This resurrection cantata is based upon the concept of who Jesus really is to each life He touches. He is a bruised, hurting son to Mary, a silent threat to Pilate, a changed heart to a lonely life, a willing and obedient Son to His Father, and yet … still … the great I Am.”

The 50-minute cantata traces the passion and resurrection in 17 segments, beginning and ending with the song “I Am” by Michael W. Smith. When performed four years ago at St Rose, the cantata was very favorably and enthusiastically received by the audience.

The first half of the concert will consist of selections relating to Holy Week.

“Canticle For Palm Sunday” by Tom Fettke, features the text “All Glory Laud and Honor”; “Silent Was The Night,” by the Rev Joseph Martin, recounts the agony in the garden at Gethsemane; two selections from The Messiah by G.F. Handel will include “Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs” and “And With His Stripes We Are Healed”; “Pie Jesu” from Requiem by Andrew Lloyd Webber, will feature two young sopranos in duet, Courtney Oszkowski and Bianca Crudo; Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace), attributed to Clemens non Papa, will be sung a cappella; and “Everlasting God” by Tom Fettke, based upon Psalm 139, will conclude the first half with the proclamation to God, “Everywhere I go You are there!”

The orchestra for the concert will consist of members of Waterbury Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are $12 in advance for adults ($15 at the door) and $5 for children under 12. Proceeds will be used to defray expenses for the St Rose Choir 2005 Musical Pilgrimage and Tour to Italy and St Peter’s, Rome.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call Deb Archer 364-1064 or St Rose Rectory at 426-1014. The church is at 46 Church Hill Road.