The Blair Concert Chorale, under the direction of artistic director Jeffrey L. Webb, will join forces with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown concert choir to present their spring concert “In Remembrance”.
The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on April 15 at the Historic Mishler Theatre in Altoona.
The concert features a performance of Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem”, which was first performed in 1888.
Also featured will be the premiere of Webb’s arrangement of the African-American spiritual, “Oh, What a Beautiful City.”
The chorale will also be performing pieces by the American composer Aaron Copland as well as a piece by Russian composer, Alexander Gretchaninoff entitled “Nunc Dimittis.”
Tickets for the event are $11 for adults and $6 for students. They are available at Treese’s Music Store in Hollidaysburg, at the Mishler Theatre Box Office, by calling 944-9434 or at the door on the night of the event.
Also, Webb will present a free lecture about the history and origin of Faure’s “Requiem” on Tuesday, April 12 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. A wine and cheese reception will accompany the lecture at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. The public is invited to attend, reservations are not required.
Webb is assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at UPJ. In addition to his duties as conductor of the UPJ Concert Choir and Chorale, Webb teaches courses in music theory, jazz history, and western art music.
The UPJ Concert Choir is an auditioned group of singers that performs a wide variety of choral literature from all historical periods. According to UPJ’s website, the choir has a singing repertoire that includes motets, madrigals, folk and part songs, and spirituals.
