Renaissance Southwest to perform at cathedral, Good Shepard
Music created by centuries of Christian composers to aid in worship services will be performed at two events in Lake Charles.
A new group, Renaissance Southwest, will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 26, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo St.
A traditional choral evensong will be presented by the choir at 5:45 p.m. on May 28, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 715 Kirkman St.
Both events are free and open to the public.
Renaissance Southwest is composed of eight singers from the choirs of Good Shepherd, McNeese State University, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This group was co-founded by Dr. Carol Lines and Dr. Patrick Parker, who is also the director. Choir members are Layton Bergstedt, Emmie Lancon, Ann Eisen, Noah Lanier, Sheila MacKay, and Jordy Stanley.
The program is entitled “Annum per Annum” (year after year) and will include Renaissance choral and organ music created for the different feast days of the liturgical calendar. Selections by Allegri, Batten, Bibel, Palestrina, Rheinberger, Tallis, Victoria, and others will be performed.
This Sunday’s Choral Evensong is an Anglican service sung at the close of day in Cathedrals and churches throughout the world. It is a service of evening prayer, derived from the ancient offices of Vespers and Compline. It is designed to give people an opportunity for rest and mindfulness before the start of a busy week, according to Parker, music director and organist at Good Shepherd.
The program on Sunday features music composed for the feast day of Ascension. Music from the Renaissance, Baroque and 20th century will create a contemplative mood, according to Parker. The service is composed of music and readings, with no sermon or eucharist. Reverend Jack Myers will be the cantor.
Special music begins at 5:45 with the organ Voluntary “Majesté du Christ demandant sa gloire à son Père (Majesty of Christ praying that His Father should glorify Him)” from “L’Ascension” by Messiaen. The Anthem will be “O God the King of Glory” by Henry Purcell. The closing Voluntary will be “Prière du Christ montant vers son Père (Prayer from Christ ascending towards His Father),” also from “L’Ascension.”
A reception will follow.
For more information, see Music at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Facebook.
Members of the new choral group Renaissance Southwest are, left to right, Emmie Lancon, Carol Lines, Ann Eisen, Sheila MacKay, Jordy Stanley, Noah Lanier, Layton Bergstedt, Patrick Parker.