May 2 concert features “major and beautiful” work in a special setting
A major part of classic vocal repertoire will get a grand setting for its performance as the Kirkwood Community College Concert Chorale presents their spring concert at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Cedar Rapids.
The 7:30 p.m. performance at the corner of Third Avenue and Fifth Street SE will feature the Gabriel Faure Requiem in D Minor. Vocal Music Director Ray Salucka said several factors make the First Presbyterian setting ideal for the performance.
“The Faure Requiem is a major and beautiful work that requires an organ accompaniment for best effect. We are fortunate to have a superb guest organist in David Richardson from Iowa City who will share his talents with our chorale that night. David will open the program with some solo works for organ, then accompany us in the Requiem following intermission,” Salucka said.
Richardson’s solo organ pieces will include works by William Byrd, Christofero Morales, Franz Biebl and Felix Mendelssohn.
Salucka said the Kirkwood Chorale’s performance of the Faure Requiem is “quite an accomplishment” for his 40-voice group.
“The undertaking of this work is a major task and rarely, if ever performed by community college choirs,” he observed. Then he paused and added with a smile, “Of course, not every community college has a choir like our chorale!”
Tickets for the May 2 performance of the Kirkwood Concert Chorale at First Presbyterian Church are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students with current ID. Kirkwood faculty, staff and students will be admitted free with Kirkwood’s EagleCard ID. Tickets are available from Kirkwood Student Life, (319) 398-5578.