First Congregational’s annual spring concert to be ‘Music for Your Soul’

On Sunday, March 15, First Congregational Church’s Vestry Adult Choir and Jubilate Bell Choir will present their annual spring concert, “Music For Your Soul,” at 4 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary at 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The public is invited to attend this free program; a freewill offering will be received.

The adult bell choir, Jubilate, will perform five pieces on the concert. Alex Guebert’s “Built on the Rock” will open their set. “Capriccio” by Kevin McChesney and “How Can I Keep From Singing,” arranged by Arnold Sherman continue Jubilate’s pursuit of excellence and beautiful dynamic ringing. Guebert’s gorgeous “Reunited,” and Kurt Meyer’s ambitious “Prestidigitation” will round out their portion of the performance.

For Vestry Adult Choir’s portion of the program, they will be singing “Cry Out and Shout” by Knut Nystedt, a 20th-century Norwegian composer. “O Love” is a hauntingly beautiful piece by Iowa-based composer Elaine Hagenberg accompanied by piano and cello.

A central piece in the concert is Moses Hogan’s “Music Down in My Soul,” featuring the song “Over My Head” as well as original writing by the 20th-century African American composer.

Kyle Pederson, a Minneapolis-based composer, has written “All of Me” for chorus, violin and piano. The powerful text focuses on love, inclusion and hope for our world. “More Waters Rising” is a collaborative effort of twin brothers, Adam and Matt Podd, based in New York City. They have arranged singer-songwriter Saro Lynch-Thomason’s original song written in 2016 for chorus, piano and percussion; soloists will be Allison Atteberry and Rick Fergus.

Lynch-Thomason’s uplifting text calls us to “resource the best parts of ourselves as we work toward justice.” Bagpiper Anita Jannes will join Vestry for a stunning arrangement of “Amazing Grace” by Stephen Hatfield.

Closing the program will be the inspiring 1968 gospel song, “Oh Happy Day,” written by Edwin R. Hawkins and arranged by Mark Hayes; it will feature soprano Brandy Braxton.

The choirs are under the leadership team of music director Ann Tucker, bellmaster Toni Gambini, and organist Andrei Liquer.

For more information, call the church office at (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org. Nursery care will be provided during the performance, and the concert will be livestreamed.

Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. A reception for all will follow. First Congregational Church is handicapped accessible.