Montgomery County Choral Society presents Choral Classics Old & New

and premiere of work by Charles Fitts

Friday, April 23, 8:00 p.m.

Highlighting the final concert of Montgomery County Choral Society’s 38th Season, Choral Classics Old & New, will be the world premiere of a new work, Kyrie and Gloria for Chorus and Orchestra, by Montgomery County-based composer, Charles Fitts.

The concert is set for Friday, April 23, 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 4308 W. Davis in Conroe. Feature guest soloists will be soprano Desireé Alejandro, 2009 Entergy Young Texas Artist, tenor Jack Beetle and baritone Gabriel Preisser. The Society’s accompanist, Lou Leonard, will be on hand, along with a professional orchestra made up of musicians from around the Greater Houston area. Ann Lee, artistic director, will conduct.

Also on the program are Martin Shaw’s With a Voice of Singing, Randal Thompson’s The Last Words of David and Alleluia, Wolfgang Mozart’s Ave Verum, an arrangement of the Shaker song Ye Followers of the Lamb by Edwin Ferguson, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Psalm 115.

The musical rhythm of the Latin text, the dramatic aspects of that text and the underlying tenets of the Christian faith inspired Fitts’ new work, based on the first two movements of the Latin liturgical Mass.

“I wanted to bring something a bit new to the genre of the Mass,” the composer explained. “To accomplish this, I emphasized the dramatic aspects of the text by creating music that evokes a powerful intensity. For example, the Kyrie, ‘Lord, have mercy upon us,’ is usually depicted in a solemn and prayerful sense. With the restive orchestral introduction and the breathless treatment of the narrative, this music expresses an urgent cry for help.”

The origins of the Kyrie date back to Fourth Century Jerusalem, and in this movement, the composer incorporates the expression of humanity’s need for something greater than itself as it faces unknown and unexpected challenges.

The Gloria, which begins, “Glory in the highest to God…and on earth peace to men of good will,” is rooted in the Second Century, and Fitts uses its contrasts in tonality, tempo and range to celebrate the glorification of Christ and the power that ultimately defines the universe.

Calling the Kyrie and Gloria for Chorus and Orchestra “a real adventure for the audience,” Lee said Fitts offers new treatments to the traditions of the work as well as the accompaniment. “This work not only incorporates the composer’s personality but the breadth of his spirit as he allows the text to unfold. For those who’ve read respected thinker Dr. Spencer Johnson’s bestselling book, Who Moved My Cheese?, this work will definitely move your cheese!

“Our upcoming performance is truly unique for both the chorale and our audiences in that the composer is a local resident,” Lee continued. “Most often you don’t see the people whose works you perform. In this instance, making the personal connection with composer Charles Fitts adds a new dynamic to our performance and allows us all to find something new to stimulate the senses as well as the intellect.”

Scholarship presentation

During the concert, the Choral Society will present a $1,000 scholarship to a Montgomery County high school senior, selected based upon their contribution to their school’s choral program as well as their intention to pursue music at the college level.

Tickets and info.

Tickets are available at the door: adults $15, seniors $12 and children $5.

For more information about the Montgomery County Choral Society, visit www.mcchoral.org or call 936-756-3395.