“Holy smokes, choir, do I have a work for you!”
Thus began musical director Kathleen Neudorf’s invitation to members of the Nelson Choral Singers to join her in a performance of Judilate Deo.
The work — exciting, jubilant, celebratory — is by the multi-award-winning young American composer Dan Forrest.
Clocking in at about 50 minutes, it includes seven different languages and draws from a wide variety of musical styles and cultural influences from around the world.
“This work has the beautiful melodic lines and the depth of harmony that we are used to getting from [Dan Forrest], but this time joy is bursting throughout,” says Neudorf.
Joining the 65-member choir are soprano Noémi Kiss and alto Yuri Shinozawa, plus musicians Carlisle Beresford, Rob Fahie, Vida Herbison, David Lane and Steven Parish.
The finale is a global celebration of joy, as all the earth sings as one: “omnis terra, jubilate!”
“I think we are going to raise the roof,” says choir president Vivien Bowers.
Performances are Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Nelson United Church. Tickets are $20 (half price for children), available at Otter Books and at the door.
