Andrews University Choirs: Easter Tenebrae

“From Darkness Into Light”is the theme of the annual Easter choral concert held in the Howard Performing Arts Center on March 29, beginning at 7 p.m.  As a restructured Tenebrae Service, the concert narrative of “From Darkness Into Light” is portrayed through a select sequence of musical repertoires that contrast songs of introspection with jubilant expressions of praise.  The program begins with Craig Courtney’s poignant setting of A Better Resurrection by poet Christina Rossetti, and it is immediately followed by Johann Sebastian Bach’s Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten (“Ring forth, o songs, resound, you strings!”).

The contrast in emotions and musical styles from one piece to the other continues throughout the concert, concluding with Tom Trenney’s arrangement of Kathleen Thomerson’s hymn: I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light.  The centerpiece of the concert is Elaine Hagenberg’s multi-movement work Illuminare; a multi-movement composition that express splendor, love, darkness, melodic tenderness, and radiance.  The concert presentation of Illuminare is a Michiana premiere performance conducted by Cyril Punay.   Mr. Punay is the assistant choral director during professor Stephen Zork’s spring semester sabbatical. 

The Andrews University Singers & University Chorale are pleased to collaborate with members of the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra (Dr. Marc Elysée, conductor) for the presentation “From Darkness into Light”.  Cyril Punay is aided by his graduate choral conducting colleagues –  Nicole Neugebauer, Janelle Dobson, and Jahaziel Gutierrez.

7:00 p.m. March 29, Howard Performing Arts Center – A freewill offering will be received

PROGRAM

A Better Resurrection……………………………………….………… Craig Courtney

Nicole Neugebauer, graduate conductor
 

Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten.……..………… Johann Sebastian Bach

“Ring forth o songs, resound, you strings!

O most blessed time!

God Himself shall prepare our souls for His temple”
 

Janelle Dobson, graduate conductor

Carlos Lugo, harpsichord

Strings, Andrews University Symphony Orchestra

Jesu, The Very Thought of Thee…………………………………………. Paul Halley
 

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing………………….………………. Tom Trenney

Jahaziel Gutierrez, graduate conductor
 

Exultate! Jubilate!…………………………..…………………………. Kyle Pederson

Cyril Punay, assistant director
 

~ Intermission ~

For The Beauty of the Earth………..…………………………………….. Eric Nelson

Janelle Dobson, graduate conductor
 

Illuminare………………………………………………...……….. Elaine Hagenberg

1. Splendor

2. Caritas

3. Nox

4. Munera pacis

5. Illuminare his
 

Cyril Punay, assistant director

Andrews University Symphony Orchestra

I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light…………………………….…… Tom Trenney

Nicole Neugebauer, graduate conductor