Choir and Chorus to Perform Brahms Requiem

The Galesburg Community Chorus and Knox College Choir, under the direction of Laura Lane, will present Johannes Brahms' A German Requiem on Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre. 57 South Kellogg St., Galesburg. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and are available at the door or in advance at Innkeeper's Coffee, 80 N. Seminary St. in Galesburg. Students are admitted free.

Brahms wrote his famous Requiem after the death of his mother and first performed it in 1868. "It's an incredibly powerful experience to hear the seven-movement Brahms Requiem performed live," Lane said. "Brahms wanted his requiem to be consolation for the bereaved, who need its message of comfort." The Brahms Requiem was last performed in Galesburg by Lane and the Community Chorus in 1991. "The 1991 concert was one of the highlights of my conducting career. We did it in English in 1991, and ever since then, I have wanted to conduct it in German."

"Brahms' Requiem is truly one of the greatest choral-orchestral works ever written," said Community Chorus director Tim Pahel. "To perform it at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre with 120 voices and a 50-piece orchestra will be a unique and thrilling experience."

The combined choirs will be joined by two professional soloists. Lyric soprano Christine Steyer recently sang the title role in the opera "Madame Butterfly" with Battle Creek Symphony and is featured on a new CD, "Caroline Myers' Voices of the Sacred." She is a graduate of Knox College class of 1992. Baritone Stephen Swanson is a concert and opera singer, teacher of singing and stage director for opera. He has been Professor of Voice at the University of Iowa since 1994. He has toured extensively in North America and Europe and has sung major roles in many operas.

Both Ms. Steyer and Mr. Swanson have performed several times in Galesburg's major choral works.

"We welcome members of the community to attend this amazing concert presenting Brahms' Requiem," Jimmy Stewart, GCC Manager said. Stewart added, "Galesburg is truly lucky to have a local, live performance of this magnitude. The combining of the Galesburg Community Chorus and Knox College Choir is a treat whenever it occurs, but adding the orchestra and the historic site of the Orpheum is sure to make this a memorable event."

Dr. Laura Lane is Director of Choral Activities and chair of the music department at Knox College in Galesburg. Under her direction, the Knox College Choir has toured throughout the United States and Europe, performing in such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall. Dr. Lane is also founder and music director of Nova Singers, a 20-voice ensemble with a nation-wide reputation for virtuosity, expressiveness, and innovative programming. Nova Singers has performed for state, regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and has produced eight professional recordings.

The Galesburg Community Chorus was founded in 1945 and is celebrating its 64th year of existence. Its mission is to share the gift of great choral music, inspire new generations with the love of singing, and to broaden its reach to new and underserved audiences.

Student admission to Galesburg Community Chorus concerts is sponsored by a gift from Wells Fargo Bank.