Young Voices in Harmony at Choral Fest

This year’s annual Fall Choral Festival, featuring 12 ensembles from 11 high schools and the Westmont Choir, Choral Union and Chamber Singers, is Friday, Oct. 27, at 4:45 p.m. and 7 p.m., both at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave. Half of the choirs will perform at 4:45 p.m. and the remaining half will perform prior to Westmont ensembles at 7 p.m. Both performances are free and open to the public, although seating is limited. For more information, please call (805) 565-6040.

The 4:45 p.m. performance includes Cate School Camerata, Vista Murrieta Chamber Choir, Fresno Christian Bellezza, Arvin Madrigals, Redlands Adventist Academy Kantorei and Providence Chorale.

The 7 p.m. performance will include Chatsworth Charter, Providence Chamber Singers, Rosemead Chamber Singers, The Thacher Chamber Singers, Highland Chamber Choir and Rancho Cucamonga Chamber Singers.

The Westmont College Choir will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with the opening chorus of J.S. Bach’s Cantata No. 79 “God the Lord is Sun and Shield” and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s “Kyrie” and “Agnus Dei of the Mass.” The choir will also sing music by contemporary American composers Steven Danyew, Stacey Gibbs, and Vijay Singh, and Korean composer Hyo-Won Woo. All of the choirs will join with the Westmont Orchestra to perform J.S. Bach’s Reformation chorale “Now Thank We All Our God.”

Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, conducts the choir accompanied by pianist Neil DiMaggio. Grey Brothers, Westmont professor of music, conducts the Westmont Choral Union and Chamber Singers.

Before performing, the students will attend workshops with professors Shasberger, Brothers, Steve Hodson, Robert Rockabrand and Nichole Dechaine.