“Spem in Alium” — Shepherd Choral Concert
with special guests The Master Singers of Virginia
Shepherdstown, WV — The a cappella choirs of Shepherd University together with special guests The Master Singers of Virginia, will present “Spem in Alium” on Friday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Charles Town, WV. The Chamber Singers, Women’s Camerata, and Men’s Choir will also be singing other works by modern composers. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations accepted at the door.
Spem in alium (Latin for “Hope in any other”) is a 40-part Renaissance motet by Thomas Tallis, composed around 1570 for eight choirs of five voices each. Widely considered to be the greatest piece of English early music and one of the greatest choral works ever composed, the sacred motet expresses man’s hope and trust in the Lord. Thanks to its role in the publishing sensation Fifty Shades of Grey, EL James’s novel exploring the joys of sado-masochism, Tallis reached the top of the UK classical music charts, with the public flocking to enjoy the polyphonic richness of one of English music’s most extraordinary compositions, in which 40 individual vocal lines are woven closely together to create a surging tapestry of sound.
The Master Singers of Virginia is the premier mixed choral ensemble in Northern Virginia. Now in its 21st season, the ensemble was founded by Dr. Erik Jones, Director of Choral Studies at Shepherd University, who continues to serve as the Artistic Director. The ensemble, comprised of 28 singers, is dedicated to bringing the highest quality choral music to the people of the Washington, D.C. region. Concentrating primarily in 20th- and 21st-century a cappella classical music, the group’s mission is to perform programs that enrich, educate, and entertain its audiences.
The Shepherd Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Erik Jones, is a mostly a cappella ensemble, concentrating in masterpieces of the 20th century. The ensemble is made up of between 20 and 24 students each year. While most of the members are vocal majors, other music majors and students from around the campus are welcome to audition. Shepherd University’s Women’s Camerata is an ensemble of 30-35 female singers, comprised of voice majors, music majors, and many students from other disciplines at Shepherd University. The Men’s Choir, under the direction of Dr. Robert Tudor, Director of Vocal Studies and Music Department Chair, is an ensemble of 8-12 male voices singing jazz, doo-wop, barbershop, and classical male choir literature.
For more information call 304-876-5555.