|
THANK YOU!
Dear Friends of Westmoreland Choral Society, On behalf of Westmoreland Choral Society, I would like to say thank you for your support during 2014. So far, we have performed 5 successful concerts and our collaboration with Bodiography and River City Brass continue to be a highlight for us artistically. Without the support of you, our donors and patrons, we could not continue on this trajectory! And so, in the spirit of giving (and a potential tax deduction!), I am humbly asking you to consider Westmoreland Choral Society in your end-of-year donations. We are able to accept checks and transfers of stock in order to accommodate any type of donation. As we look forward to 2015, our Spring season begins on March 22nd, at First Presbyterian Church at 4 PM with “A Moravian Love Feast” rooted in our Pennsylvania heritage, and concludes on May 9th at the Seton Hill Performing Arts Center honoring Italian Americans. We look forward to seeing you there! Again, thank you for your past help and support and we look forward to an entertaining 2015! Wishing you a most blessed 2015! Thomas Octave 
Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors
|
2014/2015 SEASON: FESTIVALS
Moravian Love Feast Sunday, March 22, 2015 @ 4:00 pm / First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg The Moravian Church has given us the “Love Feast” as a time for sacred music, hymns and the sharing of some food and beverage as a sign of hospitality and our unity. John Rutter's "Gloria" will be featured in this concert. Join the Westmoreland Choral Society and Children’s Chorus for a “Love Feast” of music, joy and hope. A little insight: The Moravians are a denomination which was started in the late 1400s. They began in Bohemia and eventually left due to persecution. In 1740, they came to America and started forming towns including, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Lititz all in Pennsylvania, and Winston-Salem in North Carolina. Music has been a very important part of their history. Trombone choirs are a part of their community. In Lititz, which is just a couple miles north of Lancaster, the Moravian Trombone Choir would gather at 3:00 AM Easter morning and play through the town for several hours. There is a wonderful CD of Moravian Music entitled Lost Music of America. The love feast is important to Moravian life. Based on the meals of the holy apostles where they broke the bread, the love feast is the meal to signify unity and equality. Moravians started these meals over 300 years ago, and center around various themes. It is a song service of hymns, anthems and often the participation of an orchestra or some instrumental ensemble. At one point in the service, the deneers of the church come out with trays of Moravian rolls and serve it to the congregation while the congregation sings hymns. Then, they come out and bring a beverage, usually coffee. While the people eat and drink, the choir sings several anthems. When the deeners return to collect the cups and napkins, the congregation sings several hymns til everything is "cleaned up." The love feast usually concludes with the singing of "Sing Hallelujah Praise the Lord" which is the "theme song" of the Moravians like "A Mighty Fortress" is to Lutherans. Love feasts are wonderful. A Festival of Young Voices Sunday, April 12, 2015 @ 4:00 pm / Zion Lutheran Church, Greensburg Join our young singers in the Westmoreland Children's Chorus as they take you on a festive journey around the world in song! Festa Italiana ~ Storie di vita e di amore Saturday, May 9, 2014 @ 7:30 pm / Seton Hill Center for the Performing Arts Join the Westmoreland Choral Society, The Collective Legacy Project, Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, and the Pittsburgh Festival Orchestra for a festival to celebrate life and love in the Italian spirit. Music, stories, dance, food and beauty. The wonder of the Italian-American immigrant story told in a passionate musical and visually artistic embrace. Join us for an evening not to be missed! |
 |
