The Northern Adirondack Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Andrew Benware, will give two performances of their latest program, "Of Heaven and Earth: Sacred and Secular Choral Gems:"
-Friday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake
-Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh
The Northern Adirondack Vocal Ensemble, known as NAVE, is a mixed chamber choir of professional and amateur singers, all bringing extensive previous choral experience to the group. The 20 members represent a cross-section of the region, hailing from points in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.
Benware is currently director of choral activities at Saranac Lake High School, where he conducts Festival Chorus and Concert Choir in addition to the Select Men's and Women's Vocal Ensembles. Additionally, he offers small-group voice instruction to students and provides musical direction for the drama department's annual school musical. Benware's students regularly attend the NYSSMA solo festival as well as selective ensemble festivals at the county and regional levels.
The concert opens with the lively fanfare "Laudate" by Norwegian composer Knut Nystedt (b. 1915), followed by "Four Motets on Gregorian Themes of Maurice Durufle" (1902-1986). A Mozart group rounds out the first half and sacred portion of the program: "Confutatis" and "Lachrymosa" from the Requiem and the much beloved "Ave Verum Corpus."
The principal work on the secular second half of the concert is American composer Randall Thompson's "Frostiana: Seven Country Songs," set to seven poems of our country's cultural icon Robert Frost. Two classics, "The Road Not Taken" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," will be recognized as dear old friends by nearly every listener. Perhaps not so familiar, but soon perceived also as vintage Frost, are "The Pasture," "Come In," "The Telephone," "A Girl's Garden," and the inspirational "Choose Something Like a Star."
Finally, to sustain a mood of promise and hope, "You Are the New Day" concludes the concert.
Admission is a $10 suggested donation at the door. For more information, call 518-293-7613 or email hillholl@hughes.net.