GREENVILLE, S.C. (February 14, 2017) –Bob Jones University will present a choral artist series entitled Jubilate! Thursday, March 2, at 8 p.m. in Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium on the BJU campus.
Under the direction of Dr. Warren Cook, the concert will feature individual BJU choirs as well as acclaimed guest choir Rivertree Singers in solo and combined performances of Lawson’s Down to the River to Pray, Rutter’s Amazing Grace, Victoria’s Kyrie, Ešenvalds’ O salutaris hostia, Mealor’s Ubi caritas, Johnson’s Unclouded Day, and Hogan’s Ride On, King Jesus. The concert culminates with a commentary by BJU grad and composer Dan Forrest before the BJU Symphony Orchestra (BJUSO) joins the nearly 300 singers to perform Forrest’s new major choral work, Jubilate Deo.
Jubilate Deo, a seven-movement setting of Psalm 100, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” sets portions of the Psalm in seven different languages, representing all the earth resounding with joy.
“Dan Forrest has captured the global essence of Psalm 100 in his joyful and expansive Jubilate Deo,” said Cook, Director of Choral Activities at BJU. “His use of seven languages and traditional instruments from each of the cultures transports the listener from the ancient Middle East to Asia, from South Africa with its vocal and drumming traditions to Latin America. The satisfying and celebratory seventh movement unites all the earth, singing as one, omnis terra, jubilate!”
On March 11, the groups will make their Peace Center debut in downtown Greenville. This concert opens with the BJUSO, conducted by Dr. Michael Moore, who will present a program of celebratory works including Shostakovich’s Festival Overture, Elmer Bernstein’s guitar concerto (featuring guitarist and Peabody Conservatory DMA candidate Isaac Greene, a 2013 BJU graduate), and excerpts from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.
Following intermission, Forrest will introduce his Jubilate Deo before Cook conducts the combined voices of the BJU choirs, Rivertree Singers, and Bob Jones Academy’s Elementary Vocal Ensemble, along with the BJUSO in performing the work.
The BJU Chorale and Symphony Orchestra will host a repeat performance of the Peace Center program at the prestigious Chicago Orchestra Hall April 3.
Ticket prices for the BJU performance are $34-$43 for adults and full time student tickets are $23. Tickets are available at www.bju.edu/jubilate or by calling (864) 770-1372. Tickets for the Peace Center performance on March 11 are available at www.peacecenter.org or by calling (864) 467-3000.
