On Thursday, September 26, the Incarnate Word Academy Choir and St. Thomas Singers performed in the annual Fall Choir Concert, hosted in IWA’s Auditorium. The two choirs have worked closely for years, bringing students from both schools together and collaborating for these annual concerts. This year’s concert theme was The Word Was God: a musical celebration of faith.
The concert began at 7:00pm with a piece sung by both choirs, titled “The Word Was God,” composed by Rosephanye Powell. According to the composer, “this anthem is full of rhythmic energy and drive…It is a musical word-painting of the creation.” The song’s text is from John 1:1-3.
“This piece is sort of meditative in a way, but it’s still very interesting and rhythmic and exciting,” choir director Josh Wilson said. “The text is from that opening in the Gospel of John. The way the piece opens with that moment of creation, I thought would be a great opening for the concert.”
Following the titular performance, STH Singers sang “Veni, Sancte Spiritus,” composed by Dan Davison.
“The concert had a narrative, starting with creation, then the trials and tribulations of life, then judgement, and creations of new heavens and new earth, with redemptive hope at the end of the concert,” Wilson said. “It was a great variety of styles that gave every person something to listen to. It was not just one particular type of music.”
The concert continued with more combined choir performances and songs sung by the IWA Choir. IWA teachers Amanda Snook (English) and Noel Ingoldsby (History) accompanied the choir on flute. Snook also performed a flute solo, serenading the audience with “Lament for the Holy City,” arranged by John Rutter.
“It is such a joy to be able to play with the lovely Incarnate Word Academy and St. Thomas choir,” Snook said. “I’m thrilled to create such uplifting spiritual music and have a chance to participate with my students outside of my English class. Josh Wilson has been so welcoming.”
Nearing the concert’s conclusion, the audience was invited to stand as they were able and join the choirs in singing “All People That on Earth do Dwell,” a piece arranged with two flute parts by Wilson. The choirs closed out the concert with a rendition of “An Irish Blessing,” composed by Dominick DiOrio.
“I’m very proud of the students, putting on this concert so early in the year,” Wilson said. “I’m very grateful to the flute players who joined us from Incarnate Word. It was a great concert all around.”
Article by Sarah Jane Lasley
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