Las
Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Madrigal Choir presents “Peace, Love and
Joy” April 28 at 3 p.m. in the university’s historic Ilfeld Auditorium at 900
University Ave.
The
Madrigal Choir includes Highlands University students and Las Vegas community
members.
“This
concert focuses upon the greater love of God for humanity and the pursuit of peace,”
said Andre García-Nuthmann, director of Highlands University’s choral and vocal
program. The musical selections include “Rejoice in the Lord Always,” “God So
Loved the World,” “Bashana Hab’ah,” “Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem” and “Cantate
Domino.”
García-Nuthmann,
who will conduct the Madrigal Choir, said the musical selections are “a tapestry
of diverse pieces and styles from different periods starting with the
Renaissance and going through an historical overview of the concept of the love
of God. We sing in different languages including English, Latin and Hebrew. The
music is profoundly beautiful.”
García-Nuthmann
said the majority of the music for the concert is a cappella, without instrumental accompaniment.
Tenor
John Loehr is the vocal soloist for “I Wonder as I Wander.” He is also a
soloist in “Goin’ Home to God” with soprano Oksana Herrera, a Highlands vocal
performance music major.
Betty
Thompson, soprano, and Joe Cooney, bass,
are the vocal soloists for “Wade in the Water.” Thompson is also the soloist
for “Were You There” while Cooney is the soloist for “Prayer of St. Francis.”
Cierra
Gomez, an alto and Highlands vocal performance music major, is the vocal
soloist for “Dai Lanu.”
Cassidy
Kear, a soprano
and music technology and composition major, is the vocal soloist for “Lullaby,” for which
she also composed the arrangement. Dominque García-Gallegos, a vocal
performance music major, is the violin soloist for the piece.
Instrumental
soloists include Mark Gillingham on clarinet in “Tumbalalaika” and Dominque
García-Gallegos on violin in “Mi Yitneni Of.” Edwin Aybar, a new Highlands
music professor, is the pianist for the concert.
“The
vocal soloists for this concert are very well prepared and have exquisite
voices that suit the selections. The instrumentalists add depth and beauty to
the pieces,” García-Nuthmann said.
General admission tickets for the “Peace, Love
and Joy” concert are $5. The concert is free for Highlands University students,
faculty and staff with valid IDs.