YE SHALL HAVE A SONG
I Cantori, Savannah’s Professional Chamber Choir of twenty-four auditioned singers, will present a program of American music on May 4th at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Abercorn and 34th Streets. On May 7th they will present the program at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island. Both programs will start at 7:30 PM.
I Cantori was founded in 1991 by its present conductor, Dr. Robert Harris. Currently Dr. Harris is also Director of Choral Studies at Armstrong Atlantic State University and Director of Music for St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church on Bull Street.
American music from across the centuries will include a delightful variety of folk song arrangements. Among others will be the Southern folk songs, “Shenandoah,” Stephen Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer,” and spirituals “Were You There?” and “All My Trials.”
Art songs spanning two centuries include exciting and challenging arrangements of music by Randall Thompson, Jean Berger, Samuel Barber, Charles Ives and William Billings. Berger’s “It Is Good to Be Merry” has been a delight for the choir to learn and sing and is in contrast melodically and rhythmically to the Charles Ives’ peaceful “67th Psalm.” Charles Ives was one of the very first American composers to reach international renown.
Randall Thompson will be represented by his lovely “Alleluia,” excerpts from “Peaceable Kingdom” and “Last Words of David,” as well as two of the “Three Reincarnations” by Samuel Barber. Of special interest will be the music of William Billings, “the father of American choral music.” From his New England Psalm Singer, I Cantori will sing “The Lord Is Risen Indeed.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. They are available at the door, from choir members and by reservation at 925-7866.
