The Judson Singers will celebrate the 175th anniversary year of Judson College by performing in a World Premiere Concert in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. The concert is schedule for May 26 at 8 p.m.
Visiting Professor of Music, Dr. Terre Johnson, was asked to conduct this concert in the fall of 2012, when he had just begun to teach at Judson. He chose to perform with a chorus made up of women’s voices accompanied by an orchestra, then composed the 30-minute piece they will be performing.
Entitled “Missa Femina,” the composition is a sacred work utilizing the words of the mass and words from the Old Testament. It requires a large chorus of women’s voices, a soprano soloist and an orchestra. The solo portions, derived from the Old Testament, emphasize the nurturing, caring nature of God.
Dr. Johnson came to the Birmingham area in 2005 after spending several years as a conductor in New York, with regular engagements in Carnegie Hall.
“When I received the invitation to give a concert in New York in 2014, I was excited at the possibility of making it part of Judson College’s 175th Anniversary Celebration. With the support of Judson’s President, Dr. David Potts, that dream has become a reality.” Johnson said. “This singular opportunity is an important part of what makes a Judson education so unique and special.”
The Judson Singers will spend five days in New York in May, culminating in their concert on the 26th. They will share the concert with Maestro John Rutter, who will conduct Mozart’s Requiem as the second half of the program.