Choral Society's spring concert features new 'Requiem for the Living'

GOSHEN — In the world of choral music, there has been a bit of a “boom” in young, popular composers.

“Many people have heard of Eric Whitaker, but he’s got plenty of good company,” said Janiece Kohler, artistic director of Classic Choral Society. “Over the past few seasons, we’ve performed works by Mark Hayes and Randol Bass that were very well received by the audiences. This spring we have a wonderful new work to present from yet another gifted contemporary composer.”

Dan Forrest, Jr. is an award-winning composer of choral, piano and orchestra music. Classic Choral Society and Orchestra will present his “Requiem for the Living,” which had its New York debut this past January in Carnegie Hall. Kohler felt this work was especially well-suited for the Choral Society.

“Dan’s stirring harmonies are fresh, new and unique, but are distinctively classical. What he’s written fits beautifully when meshed with the voices of the Choral Society," Kohler said. "This results in a riveting piece of music that sounds ‘familiar’ and contemporary – but can be presented alongside works by Haydn and Mozart. He’s done an amazing job, and I believe our audience is going to leave as new fans of Dan Forrest’s music!”

Woven into the score of Requiem for the Living are solo passages that seem to be designed for young, male voices. Kohler is also excited about the extremely talented singers selected to sing these parts. Boy soprano Jeremy Michael Lanuti is a fifth grader from Monroe-Woodbury currently cast in "Ragtime the Musical" (Little Boy) at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Lyric tenor Conor Shatto is a senior at Monroe-Woodbury High School, where he recently played Beast in "Beauty and the Beast" and student-directed the fall drama "12 Angry Jurors." Requiem for the Living will also feature returning guest soloist Jody Weatherstone (soprano), a long-time friend of Classic Choral Society.

The first part of the concert will feature Mozart’s moving Kyrie in D Minor (K.341), and two works by Franz Joseph Haydn: Te Deum Laudamus No. 2 in C Major and “The Heavens Are Telling” from The Creation. Featured soloists in the latter include Choral Society members Carolyn Topliff (soprano), Rudolf Kellmann (tenor), and Jeffrey Knight (bass). Kohler anticipates the audience will likely recognize "The Heavens Are Telling."

“To many church musicians, it falls into the same category where Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus will be found!” she said.

There will be two opportunities to hear the concert. The first is Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. at the Blooming Grove United Church of Christ, 2 Old Dominion Road, Blooming Grove. The encore will be a special Mother’s Day concert on Sunday, May 11, at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 33 Park Place, Goshen.

Tickets are not needed. Classic Choral Society concerts are offered free of charge. A free-will donation will be taken at intermission.

For more information, call 845-928-6462 or visit www.classicchoralsociety.org; they're also on Facebook and YouTube.