Connecticut Choral Society

To Sing

‘Music Of Hope’

The Connecticut Choral Society (CCS) under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp will present two performances of its spring concerts, “Music of Hope.” This first will be on Saturday, May 15, at 8 pm, at the First Congregational Church, 164 Deer Hill Avenue in Danbury, and the second will be at 3 pm Sunday, May 16, at the Congregational Church of Naugatuck, 9 Division Street.

The featured work of the spring concerts is John Rutter’s Requiem. In addition, CCS once again is delighted to include the Litchfield County Children’s Choir (LCCC) under the direction of Anna Jedd and Barbara Soderberg, who will perform Johann Michael Haydn’s Dona Nobis Pacem and J.S. Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze.

The choruses will combine to sing Mack Wilberg’s “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” and Paul Caldwell & Sean Ivory’s “Hope for Resolution,” a piece that combines a European chant melody and an anti-apartheid song form South Africa. According to the composers, “this piece is a celebration of diversity. The arrangement reflects our respect for divergent musical styles and points us toward or innate potential for peaceful coexistence.” 

Also included in the inspirational concert are Franz Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock Op. 129 with soprano Lori Elway, and Randall Thompson’s Alleluia.

CCS member and Pomperaug High School senior Patrick Plude will conduct the CCS in Ernani Aguiar’s Salmo 150, a rhythmic Latin American setting of Psalm 150.

Accompaniment for the concert includes organ, harp, flute, oboe and cello.

Tickets for the either performance are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 18 and under, and are available at the door, from CCS members, at Woodbury Drugs, Villarina’s Pasta in Southbury and Newtown, Ford Pharmacy in Naugatuck, and Music Plus in Danbury, or reserved online at CTChoralSociety.org.