Chorale to present ‘Sacred Music Through the Ages’ this weekend
Central Chamber Chorale, a central Wisconsin group of singers in its 53rd season, will soon present its fall concert series, “Sacred Music Through the Ages,” featuring a wide range of choral literature tracing from the Renaissance period through the present day.
The Chorale will perform this Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 400 N. Second Ave., Abbotsford; and Sunday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Lincoln Ave., Marshfield. In keeping with the Chorale’s mission of sharing the joy of choral music with the community, all concerts are free and open to the public.
Listeners are invited to embark on a rich exploration of sacred music, beginning in the Renaissance period, where the ethereal harmonies and polyphonic textures of composers like William Byrd set a spiritual tone. Moving forward, the Baroque era is represented in the stately styles of Bach and Vivaldi, whose works are renowned for their intricate counterpoint. The Classical period is brought to life with pieces such as the contemplative “Kyrie” from Schubert’s “Mass in G,” which reflects a holy reverence.
After an intermission, the program transitions to the Romantic era, highlighting the lush, expressive compositions of Mendelssohn and Bruckner. Their music, marked by emotional intensity and expansive harmonies, speaks to the spiritual yearning and transcendence of the human soul. The 20th and 21st centuries are represented by the modern, yet deeply spiritual works of Jean Berger and René Clausen, offering a contemporary take on sacred themes. The program concludes with powerful spirituals, arranged by conductors such as Robert Fountain and William L. Dawson. These pieces, rooted in the African-American tradition, convey a profound sense of hope, resilience and communal faith.
Selections from several other composers round out the program. Each era’s music not only reflects its own time but also evokes timeless spiritual themes, making this a journey through the evolution of sacred music across centuries. There will be several featured soloists throughout the program.
The Chorale is under the direction of Elizabeth Dahlby, longtime Stratford School District choir director and solo singer with awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Schubert Club of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Priscilla Schindler is the Chorale’s accompanist.
The program will be livestreamed on Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. on the Central Chamber Chorale’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit centralchamberchorale.com or the “Central Chamber Chorale” Facebook page.
The concerts are sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, and by the generous support of members and the community.
