It has been a busy summer planning the music for another stimulating year at the Redeemer, with opportunities and exciting new music, and September is no exception.
Firstly, the newly structured Redeemer Choristers start their weekly rehearsals this Sunday, (September 8th) in the Children’s Chapel where they will prepare music to sing with the adult choir each month. This is an opportunity for children ages approx. 8 through high school. As part of their musician education, they receive professional theory and vocal training, so they do not need any singing or musical experience to join and can join at any time. The Choristers will be directed by staff singer, Sarah Rose Taylor and I invite you to watch this short introduction from Sarah. If you would like more information or have any questions, please email Sarah at choristers@redeemerchestnuthill.org
We are very excited to have the Choristers program relaunched and to see and hear our children singing regularly in church again.
Our concert series begins with a program entitled Wagner & Elgar on Friday, September 20 at 7pm featuring Redeemer staff singer/mezzo soprano, Sarah Rose Taylor and organist, Nigel Potts. The program includes two song cycles; Elgar’s Sea Pictures and Wagner’s Wesendonck-Lieder, the latter being sketches for Wagner’s significant and powerful music drama/opera Tristan und Isolde. The concert will be bookended with Prelude to Act 1 and Liebestod (Love Death) - the climatic conclusion of the opera. The concert is free with a suggested donation of $30/$20. Reception to follow and all are welcome.
But the highlight of the month will surely be the Redeemer Choir singing the world première of Christ, the Fair Glory by James Kennerley. The anthem was commissioned to celebrate Rev. Mike’s 10th Anniversary as our Rector and to be specifically sung on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29th) – no better Sunday to celebrate our Rector than on his name's sake Patron’s Day! The anthem also includes occasional references to the hymn tune, Darwall’s 148th, commonly sung to Ye holy angels bright (and the Venite at Redeemer) – and is a tune that is a Dangelo family favorite!
I look forward to seeing you soon for what promises to be an exciting opening month to our season.
Nigel Potts
Organist & Director of Music
