(Posted March 21, 2011)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College Concert Choir will create an aural masterpiece of sacred songs and international music at its spring break homecoming concert at Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26.

The concert is free and open to the public. The Juniata choir's artistic director is Russell Shelley, Elma Stine Heckler Professor of Music.

The choir returns from touring Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, where the ensemble performed at local churches and schools.

The concert will open with "How Can I Keep," arranged by Shelley, followed by "Deo dicamus gratias," which is roughly translated as "We May Say Thanks to God," and "Jubilate Deo," which is based on Psalm 100. The next selection is "Gloria" from "Missa sine nomine," followed by "Benedicamus Domino" and "I Have Had Singing."

Next on the program is "Selah" from "Words From Paradise," which received a composition award from the American Choral Directors Association for its composer Dan Forrest. "Selah" is followed by a slate of international selections. The selections are "Bogoroditse Sevo," by Sergei Rachmaninoff, "Aftonen," by Swedish composer Hugo Alfven, and "Lux Aterna," by Irish composer Michael McGlynn.

After a short intermission, the program continues with "I Thank You God," and "Wanting Memories," by Y.M. Barnwell from his song suite "Crossings." After the next selection, "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)," the program will turn to international music. "Esti Dal," and "Szeles a Duna," are by Hungarian composers Zoltan Kodaly and Lajos Bardos, respectively. A Transylvanian folk song, "Baj, Baj, Baj" ends the international song section.

The choir sings spirituals and traditional gospel songs in the concert's last section, including "Deep River" and "I Want to Live With God." The ensemble will also perform "Calling My Children Home" and "Rockin' Jerusalem."

The concert will end with "Set Me as a Seal," a longtime Juniata Concert Choir highlight, taken from Rachmaninoff's "Vespers."

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.