IF YOU GO* What: St. Paul's Artist Series opening concert* When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12* Where: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St.* Admission: $10, $5 students* Website: www.stpaulschatt.org
A new professional chamber chorus will debut Saturday, Oct. 12, as part of the opening of the St. Paul's Artist Series at the Episcopal church. The program presents music of the time period in which the art was created to heighten the visual experience of guests viewing the exhibition.
The chorus, Cantare, is a 16-voice ensemble of professional singers from Chattanooga, Knoxville, Monteagle, Tenn., and North Georgia. It is directed by Dr. Kevin Ford, director of choral activities at UTC and music director of Second Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Keith Reas, director of music at St. Paul's, says the art exhibition is a traveling collection of "Icons in Transformation," exploring the interaction of icons at Vassilevsky Monastery in Russia with artwork by Russian abstract expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska.
Cantare will mix ancient and modern works of choral music, taking subject matter from the icons represented in the church nave. The vocalists will perform together and in ensembles.
"Works performed on the concert include a Byzantine chant, a piece by 10th-century abbess and mystic Hildegard van Bingen," he says. The program will conclude with Russian Orthodox music by Chesnokov and the vesperal portion of the "All Night Vigil" by Rachmaninoff.
Reas says the exhibition will be open for viewing one hour before the concert and during a reception that follows.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.