Choir Travels to the Northwest
The Westmont Choir, New Sounds, Chamber Singers and a few members of the Westmont Orchestra travel to the Pacific Northwest May 9-19, making stops in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The choir’s final performance on the annual trip will sing the national anthem at Safeco Field prior to the Seattle Mariners baseball game.
In the past the choir has toured Guatemala, Costa Rica and through the Southwest. Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, Steve Hodson, conductor of New Sounds, and Grey Brothers, conductor of the Chamber Singers, will tour with the group of 50 singers and four string instrument performers.
“Touring is an important part of the development of Westmont musicians and ensembles,” Shasberger says. “The opportunity to focus on performance skills on a daily basis in widely varying conditions and for a variety of audiences is very motivating. The tour also serves an important ambassadorial function for the college, building a strong sense of community among the musicians.”
The performances will include Ji-Hoon Park’s “Firefly Mass,” Johann Ludwig Bach’s “Das ist Meine Freude,”Hyo-Won Woo’s “Amazing Grace,” Michael Eglin’s “Barter,” as well as spirituals, anthems and American folk songs.
Admission to all the events is free with a free-will offering taken during the program.
Performance dates and locations are:
• Sunday, May 9, at 4 and 6 p.m. at Santa Barbara Community Church in Santa Barbara, Calif.
• Monday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Oaks Community Church in Bakersfield, Calif.
• Tuesday, May 11, at 7 p.m. at Robert Stanton Theatre in King City, Calif.
• Wednesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at Valley Springs Presbyterian Church in Roseville, Calif.
• Thursday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at Calvary Bible Church in Grass Valley, Calif.
• Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Carson City, Nev.
• Sunday, May 16, at 11:15 a.m. & 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Salem, Ore.
• Monday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at Living Hope Church in Battle Ground, Wash.
• Tuesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Renton, Wash.
• Wednesday, May 19, at 7:10 p.m. Safeco Field, Mariners Game in Seattle Wash.