Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/476563
MARCH 11-17, 2015 UCW 15 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Cumberland Oratorio Singers is a staple in the local music scene. Every year, they perform all across Cumberland County with the goal of entertaining and bringing choral music to the area. This season is no exception. It is packed full of incredible shows such as the March 21 performance of Maurice Durufle's Requiem and Quatre Motets featuring the Methodist University Chorale. A requiem, also known as a requiem mass, is a mass in the Catholic Church designed to encourage peace for the souls of the dead. Durufle's requiem, does not stick to the status quo, however. "It is a combination of a requiem mass and a Burial Service. This turns it into a requiem for hope. It hopes to grant peace to the dead and peace to the living. That makes it a little different. It was commissioned from Durufles during the Nazi rule of Germany in 1941 but it wasn't finished until 1947 after the collapse was finished. He dedicated it to the memory of his father and it is very beautiful. It is based on the idea of Gregorian chants…it is a very flowing text. It is measureless in that sense and almost hypnotic," Michael Martin, the choral director explains. "If you like listening to chords and the homogenized sound of a choir and an organ then you will enjoy this." Martin has been with the Cumberland Oratorio Singers for eight years, and with a goal of reaching 100 members by his 10th year, he has clear commitment to the growth and survival of the group. "It is hard to get people to slow down their lives. In an area of 200,000 people it is hard to believe that only 65 sing. Consistently we get only 65-70 participants a year. It's hard to get people to slow down and to say 'I really want to sing,'" he said. "They come to the concert and the music sounds so nice, that it might be intimidating. But for anyone who comes into rehearsal, I can promise that group doesn't sound like that the first time. So I'm trying to convince people that being in a community choir is worth it." Other than the incredible singers and acoustics of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church the performance will also feature the Methodist University Chorale. The chorale is returning fresh from a European tour and is one of the oldest groups in the Methodist musical program. One of the goals of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers is to bring chorale music to the youth in the community, which is accomplished through engaging schools in the area. The concert is on March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The church is located at 1601 Raeford Rd. For more information, visit www.singwithcos.org or call 910-630- 7153. Individual concert tickets are available at the door for $23. Students are free. Cumberland Oratorio Singers to Perform by ERINN CRIDER Cape Fear Studios presents A Celebration of Music Musically themed artwork by Cape Fear Studios Members February 27 - March 23, 2015 Opening reception 4th Friday February 27, 6 pm - 9 pm with informative and entertaining musical presentations by Dr. Larry E. Wells, DMA (6:00-7:00 pm) and Jonathan Custer (7:15-8:45 pm) Located at 148 Maxwell St. Historic Downtown Fayetteville • Hours 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information: 910.433.2986 www.capefearstudios.com An artistic feast for the eyes and ears. ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. Local Food. Local Beer. Local Faces. DRINK A BEER WITH US ON ST. PATTY'S DAY Cumberland Oratorio Singers Director Michael Martin aims to build the group to more than 100 members.