Bozeman Symphony invites audiences to experience Voices of Faith & Hope with performances featuring the Symphonic Choir. Conducted by Conor Whalen and showcasing organist Kyla Rosenberger. Presentations are set to take place Friday, November 13th, at 7:30pm, and Saturday, November 14th, at 2:30pm. Both will be held at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman.
The 90-singer Choir will take audiences on a powerful choral journey through faith, hope and the American spiritual tradition with a program anchored by Dvořák’s radiant Mass in D major. Also called “The Lužany Mass,” Dvořák’s most popular sacred work was commissioned in 1887 by the architect and patron, Josef Hlávka, to commemorate the opening of a chapel he had built near his summer residence in Lužany, western Bohemia.
After intermission, the choir will perform a selection of American spirituals, from a toe-tapping arrangement of “I’m Gonna Sing ’til the Spirit Moves in My Heart,” by celebrated son of New Orleans, Moses Hagen, to the ethereal “Shenandoah,” arranged by James Erb, which was once performed as a sea shanty by 19th century fur traders floating down the Missouri River. As with most songs handed down in an oral tradition, there are other stories associated with the song, including one that refers to the Oneida Nation leader, Skenandoa – also known as Shenandoah – and a canoe-going trader who wanted to marry his daughter.
Conductor Conor Whalen is encouraging his singers to memorize the spirituals on the second half of the program, noting “By performing without referencing written music, we’re honoring the oral traditions that brought these beautiful spirituals to us.”
Looking ahead, Bozeman Symphony’s seasonal staple Holiday Spectacular returns. Performances will be held December 11th–13th. Norman Huynh conducts a program featuring the Symphonic Choir and acclaimed operatic soprano Madison Leonard. All performances will be held at the Willson Auditorium. Advance tickets on sale now with additional details to be announced.
Voices of Faith & Hope will take place Nov. 13th–14th at Hope Lutheran Church in Bozeman. Individual tickets are available for purchase online at www.bozemansymphony.org or by phone at (406) 585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Tickets begin at $28 with student-discounted tickets available.
These concerts are made possible through the generous support of sponsors Bob & Donna Ritchie and Bruce & Kimberlie Jodar. •
