Wooster Chorus to perform March 10 at Epworth UMC

The highly acclaimed Wooster Chorus, an ensemble of 64 student musicians from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, will perform at Epworth United Methodist Church at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, as part of the group’s 51st annual spring tour.

Directed by Lisa Wong, the Wooster Chorus will share an eclectic program of choral music that explores the notion of one’s place in a vast, flourishing and ever-changing world. Titled Going Home, the program examines the concept of home as a physical space, as a journey of imaginations, and as an eternal voyage.

In this performance, three brand-new works will be premiered: "Ner Ner," a commissioned work by award-winning composer Jake Runestad; "Soon…(Fantasy on an American Spiritual)" by Theodor Duda, a recently retired music professor at Wooster; and "A Golden Day" by Victoria Peacock, a sophomore at Wooster and winner of the 2015 Wooster Chorus Composition Contest.

The concert will open with "No Time," arranged by Susan Brumfield, followed by "Pure Imagination," arranged by Matthew D. Nielsen, and "Jimmie’s got a Goil" by Vincent Persichetti. Other selections to be performed include "Sure on This Shining Night" by Samuel Barber; "Wayfaring Stranger," an American spiritual arranged by Michael Engelhardt; "Famine Song," arranged by Matthew Culloton; and "Cloudburst" by Eric Whitacre. Rounding out the repertoire will be "Make Our Garden Grow" from "Candide" by Leonard Bernstein and arranged by Robert Page, and "I Will Rise," arranged by Craig Courtney and Lynda Hasseler.

Wong is in her sixth year at The College of Wooster, where she directs the Wooster Chorus and the Wooster Singers, and teaches courses in conducting and music education. In addition to her duties at Wooster, she is the assistant director of choruses for the Cleveland Orchestra. She holds a bachelor of science degree in music education from West Chester University, and master of music and doctor of music degrees in choral conducting from Indiana University.

Founded in 1964, the Wooster Chorus consists of students representing all academic areas within The College of Wooster’s liberal arts program. The chorus has been praised for its high level of artistry, engaging performances, and enthusiastic singing. The chorus was selected by audition to perform at the 2014 annual state conference of the Ohio Music Education Association, and was named as a 2014 finalist for The American Prize in Choral Performance.

There is no admission fee for the performance, but a free-will offering will be taken. Additional information is available by phone, 330-263-2048 or email, dkrain@wooster.edu.