Madison Choral Project & Madison Chamber Choir

press release: Friday, May 20, at 7:30pm and again Sunday, May 22, at 2:30pm two Madison choirs join forces on one fantastic and unique pair of concerts at the First Congregational Church of Madison. (1609 University Ave)

The Madison Choral Project and Madison Chamber Choir (under the direction of Dr. Albert Pinsonneault) team up for the first time to present Frank Martin's transcendently beautiful "Mass for Double Choir". The Mass for Double Choir (1926) of Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974) is one of the masterpieces of 20th-century music. Lush and gorgeous, with sweeping melodies, it is brilliant vocal writing on a grand scale. The 25-minute Martin Mass is truly a symphony for voices.

The two choirs will also combine to present James MacMillan's "The Gallant Weaver" for 3 soprano soloists and unaccompanied choir, and Jonathan Quick's arrangement of the Scottish folk tune "Loch Lomond". The choirs will also perform separately, with the Madison Chamber Choir singing Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Serenade to Music".

The Madison Choral Project will perform "Images, Shadows, Dreams: Five Vignettes" composed by Jazz icon David Baker (1931-2016) with text by poet Mari Evans (b. 1923). The poetry describes five tableau scenes from the perspective of the underprivileged in America. The music is jazz-derived, with voices joined by a full rhythm section of string bass, drums, and piano, as well as flute and guitar. During the performance of the Baker piece, students from UW-Odyssey Project will recite original works, giving a local voice to complement the poems of Mari Evans. The UW-Odyssey Project serves adults near the poverty level. Odyssey students have gone from homelessness to become college graduates, and from incarceration to doing meaningful work in the community. We are especially excited to share their voices in our concert.

Tickets are available in advance at www.themcp.org as well as at the door. ($25 at the door, $20 advance tickets, $10 student tickets with student I.D)