The ETSU Chorale will be performing their annual spring concert on Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City.
“This is the chorale, which is 73 voices,” said Thomas Jenrette, a professor of music at ETSU.
Jenrette says the main part of the concert will consist of two major works, which were selected because of their timeliness and their appropriateness to the state of the world.
“I think the music we sing has therapeutic value,” he said.
Jenrette also said that singers are his first priority in selecting music.
“I pick music not for the audience but for the singers,” he said.
“These are wonderful, philosophical works of consolation and thought-provoking understanding,” Jenrette said of the music selected.
The first work is called “Requiem” and was composed by Durufle, a 20th century French composer. Jenrette said that the work is intended for choir, organ, cello, baritone and mezzo-soprano solos. The text of the piece means “give them eternal rest.”
“It gives consolation for those left behind and says to pray for the souls of the departed,” Jenrette said. “Some requiems are filled with judgment and fear of hellfire. This requiem is full of peace and tranquility and hope rather than fear of judgment. It’s peaceful and uplifting.”
The second piece is titled “Dona Nobis Pacem,” which is Latin for “grant us peace.” It was composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the title of the work is in Latin, the work itself is in English.
“Most of the text is from Walt Whitman poetry from Leaves of Grass that deals with the horrors of the Civil War,” Jenrette said.
The piece also includes passages for the Old and New Testament that detail the ravages of war and the hope for peace.
“It is particularly appropriate for the state of the world,” he said. “It too is full of hope.”
Students in the chorale must audition in either the spring or summer for the fall term.
“They are expected to make a commitment for the school year to become a cohesive group,” Jenrette said. “There’s nothing they have to prepare. They just have to sing a couple of notes for me.”
The concert will begin at 8 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
The First Presbyterian Church is located at 105 S. Boone St.

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