The Oakcrest Concert Chorus. Photo contributed
Oakcrest School’s Concert Chorus will perform its first ever full length concert at St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. The chorus will premier an original piece composed for them by Berklee College of Music Composition Professor Arnold Friedman—a setting of the poem “Pied Beauty” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. The chorus will also sing Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” with soprano Grace Gilday (‘09), and mezzo soprano Madelyn Wanner Salazar, as well as Arnesen’s setting of the “Magnificat.”
The Oakcrest Concert Chorus is an ensemble of Upper School students in grades 9-12. In addition to singing at school Masses and concerts, the choir is actively involved with the surrounding community. They have enjoyed the honor of singing at local assisted living facilities as well as such venues as the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, National Museum of Women in the Arts, John Paul II Shrine, and abroad at some of Italy’s most famous churches. In January 2018, the chorus sang at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome at the Papal Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Chorus Director Anne Miller states, “We are honored and excited to have the opportunity to perform such glorious repertoire as part of this exceptional concert series.”
The performance is part of St. Thomas More’s 2018-2019 Concert Series. A reception will follow the event. For more information, visit: www.cathedralstm.org/music-ministries/cathedral-concerts.