Heidelberg choir, chorus in concert

Concert Choir on the road for first performance ...

The Concert Choir will kick off the 2019-20 performance season with a concert Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 5475 Brand Road, Dublin, Ohio.

Under the direction of Dr. Greg Ramsdell and accompanied by pianist Cynthia Ramsdell, the 51-member vocal choir will present a concert with the theme “Homeward (Un)bound,” completing a three-year, travel-themed cycle. According to Greg, all of this year’s repertoire consists either of pieces written by American composers or settings of American poetry, with many of the selections featuring compositions and poetry by underrepresented populations.

“The unbound aspect of the theme relates to the recurring concept of freedom that is explored in the lyrics: freedom from oppression, freedom to pursue peace, freedom to forgive, freedom to enjoy leisure, freedom to give and receive love, freedom to cherish memories of loved ones, freedom to make the world a better place,” he explained. The texts of the selections – despite being drawn from distinctive and varied perspectives – speak of the universal ideas of faith and fellowship, love and loss.

... while chorus tackles concert with wedding theme

The 62-member Heidelberg University-Community Chorus will perform its annual fall concert, titled “A Marriage of Music and Lyrics: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at First Lutheran Church, 300 Melmore St.

“A Marriage of Music & Lyrics” will explore the close relationship – akin to a marriage – that exists between those two most critical elements of choral art. Greg and Cynthia are the director and accompanist for this ensemble as well.

The concert opens with Brian Tate’s “We Are One,” adapted from Deuteronomy in a gospel blues style. Allen Pote’s “Break Forth into Song” is a joyful setting of Psalm 98 that features percussion solos. Haydn’s “Gloria” will be followed by “Song for the Unsung Hero” in gratitude for all of our veterans and first responders, concluding with Joseph Martin’s stirring arrangement of “America.” The chorus will the perform an arrangement of traditional African-American spirituals in “Swing Down, Chariot!” which combines favorites “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel.” Finally, the concert concludes with “The Golden Age of Broadway,” a medley of five favorite show tunes.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be collected.