“Cantemus,” a select chamber choir from EMU will appear throughout Sarasota during spring break this year.
EMU “Cantemus” ensemble; James Richardson, director Photo by Katie Landis
The 12-member ensemble will provide special music and the offertory during the 9 a.m. service at Bay Shore Mennonite Church, 3809 Chapel Drive, Sarasota, and lead worship in music at 11:30 a.m. at Newtown Gospel Chapel, 1815 Gillespie Ave., in a joint service with the Covenant Mennonite Fellowship.
Cantemus (Latin for “Let Us Sing”), directed by James K. Richardson, assistant professor of music at EMU, will sing selections based on the theme, will perform “Christian Journey: From Darkness Into Light.” Their eclectic repertoire features a variety of genres, languages, and cultures from the 16th century to the present including Latin motets, African songs, a Colombian dance, Mozart madrigal, and contemporary works. The selections explore God’s transcendence, the issue of sin, Christ’s saving work, the Holy Spirit in the lives of His people, and eternity in Heaven.
The choir members are: Heidi Bauman, Sassamansville, Pa.; Janelle Dean, Harrisonburg; Ingrid Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn.; Joshua Kanagy, Timberville, Va.; Steve Kniss, Harrisonburg; Jasmine Martin, New Holland, Pa.; Phillip Martin, Mt. Joy, Pa.; Daniel Miller, Broadway, Va.; Selah Shenk, Newport News, Va.; Meg Smeltzer, Harrisonburg; James Souder, Harrisonburg; and Mitchell Stutzman, Middlebury, Ind.
Richardson teaches voice, vocal pedagogy, appreciating music making and listening to film and directs EMU’s ChoirWithoutBorders. A baritone, he earned his master of music degree from The Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University.
The ensemble will also sing at 10:13 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Monday, Mar. 8 for high school and middle school students at Sarasota Christian School, at 6 p.m. that day at Sunnyside Village, 5201 Bahia Vista St., and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 9, at a donor appreciation banquet at Sunnyside Village.
For more information on the Bay Shore appearance, contact Lee Miller, 377-4041, or Randy Spaulding,366-3545, or Walter Crawford, 951-6967, on the Newton Gospel Chapel program.