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.