The Exultate Deo Chamber Choir will present “Music of Holy Week” at historic sites in Bay City and Saginaw to commemorate the focal point of the Christian liturgical year. Exultate Deo is made up of professional and semi-professional singers from the Tri-Cities who share a love of sacred choral repertoire. Robert Sabourin is the founder and director of the ensemble.
The choir will sing classic hymns and anthems for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Nicholas Schmelter, organist for the program, will play organ voluntaries for each of the three days of Holy Week.
The Friends of Music of Bay City’s Trinity Episcopal Church, 815 N. Grant St., host the first concert on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. The program will be repeated at First Congregational Church, 403 S. Jefferson, in Saginaw at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2014. The final program will allow the public to hear the restored and rebuilt Skinner organ at First Congregational Church completed after a multi-year project.
Choral repertoire includes “Beautiful Savior” by F. Melius Christiansen, “Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates” by William Mathias, “All in the April Evening” by Hugh Roberton, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Dwight Gustafson, “Lamb of God Most Holy” by F. Melius Christiansen, “Prayer to Jesus” by George Oldroyd, “Ave Verum” by W.A. Mozart, “God So Loved the World” by Bob Chilcott, “That Virgin’s Child” by Thomas Tallis, and “There is a Green Hill Far Away” by Herbert Sumsion. The choir and congregation will sing the following hymns: “The Royal Banners Forward Go,” “Alone Thou Goest Forth,” “At the Cross Her Vigil Keeping,” and “Cross of Jesus.” Organ music is by Healey Willan ( “Urbs Beata Jerusalem”) and Garth Edmundson (“Prelude on a Paschal Choral” and “O Haupt voll Blut”).
Both concerts are open to the public free of charge. Donations will be received at both venues to provide for future events. A reception, hosted by Friends of Music will be held in the Guild Room following the program. Barrier free access is available at both sites off the west parking lots. For more information contact Trinity Episcopal Church, 989-892-5813, or First Congregational Church, 989-754-6565.