Andover Choral Society concert featuring Rutter’s “Requiem”

Andover Choral Society celebrates its 88^th season on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at North Andover High School auditorium, with a concert entitled “A Voice from Heaven” featuring John Rutter’s Requiem, Felix Mendelssohn’s “As a Deer Pants” and “Grant us Peace” and Mack Wilberg’s “Peace Like a River.”

Composed in 1985, the Requiem is one of the most beloved choral works of the twentieth century. Rutter combined texts from both the Latin Requiem Mass and the Angelican Book of Common Prayer to create a work that is deeply moving. Andover Choral Society will perform the rarely-heard version for full orchestra, accompanied by professional soprano soloist Dana Lynne Varga.

The program also features the graceful melodies and lovely harmonies of and Felix Mendelssohn’s As the Deer Pants and Grant us Peace, as well as Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of the uplifting African American spiritual, Peace Like a River.

“This concert features the works of three composers beloved by choirs and audiences alike,” says music director, Michael Driscoll. “All three composers are admired for their inspired melodic and harmonic writing, which are unique and instantly recognizable.”

Tickets are $20 for adults in advance ($25 at the door) and $5 for students. Group rates are available. For tickets and information, please visit andoverchoralsociety.org/concerts or call 978-682-4050. The North Andover High School Auditorium is located at 430 Osgood Street, North Andover, MA, and is handicapped accessible. Off-street parking is available in the school’s parking lot. The concert is sponsored in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Andover Choral Society is a community chorus dedicated to bringing high-quality choral music to the Merrimack Valley community. Since 1929, membership in the chorus has been open to anyone with a love of great choral music and a desire to share that love with others.