Masterworks chorale 2024-2025 season

Welcome to the 47th season of the Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale. It is our pleasure to offer innovative and compelling programming once again for the musical enrichment of Southwest Louisiana. This season, entitled Musical Montage, will feature thought-provoking and enriching musical offerings.

Our Fall Concerts will be presented in the sanctuary of University United Methodist Church in Lake Charles on Friday, October 18, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 20 at 3:00 p.m. The theme for these concerts will be Eternal Joy and Peace. The program will start with a section of works by Henry Purcell. Two works, “Come, Ye Sons of Art,” and “Sound the Trumpet,” written in 1694 to commemorate the birthday of Queen Anne. These works will be followed by two anthems: “Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences,” and “Thou Knowest, Lord, the Secrets of Our Hearts” both considered to be funeral anthems. The latter being sung at Queen Anne’s funeral in 1695, as well as Purcell’s funeral in the same year. The centerpiece, John Rutter’s Requiem was written and first performed in October 1985. The work will be accompanied by a small instrumental consort of flute, oboe, timpani, cello and piano.  

The annual Christmas Concerts will be performed in two venues: On Friday, December 13, at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles at 7:00 p.m., and again on Sunday, December 15 at the Immaculate Conception Church on Maplewood Drive in Sulphur at 3:00 p.m. These concerts will feature the major work Gloria by Texas composer Randol Bass, Journey Into Light (a collection of traditional carols) arranged by Centenary graduate Taylor Scott Davis, accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble, and Christmas on Broadway, a medley of Broadway tunes from shows with Christmas themes. Other selections include: “Introit for Christmas,” accompanied by the Bayou Bell Choir, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” arranged by Parker/Shaw, “Light Everlasting,” by Olaf Christiansen, and “Ding Dong, Merrily on High.” arranged by Chester Alwes. In addition to Masterworks Chorale, Les Petites Voix directed by Kari Proksch and the Bayou Bell Choir directed by Bruce Allured will each present seasonal selections. The concert will conclude with the traditional “O Holy Night” combining all three groups. 

The Spring Concerts will both be held in the sanctuary of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on April 11 at 7:00 p.m. and on April 13 at 3:00 p.m. These concerts will feature two major works: Missa Kenya by Paul Basler featuring Rod Lauderdale as horn soloist; and A Vision Unfolding by Minnesota composer Kyle Pederson. Missa Kenya was written in 1995 as a tribute to the people of Kenya where Basler spent a residency. Basler said about his music, “Much of the music owe their existence to East African choral traditions, fusing together Kenyan musical styles with references to late 20th century American ‘classical’ music.” The final movement “Agnus Dei” is a prayer for peace and understanding throughout the world. A Vision Unfolding is centered broadly around themes of social justice. Using words by Robert Bode, Walt Whitman, Kyle Pederson, Shanelle Gabriel, and Langston Hughes this work explores what our country has stood for in its best moments. Included are powerful declarations of a nation rooted in equality, freedom, justice, and inclusion. The work will be accompanied by violin, trumpet, and snare drum.

Hope to see you at the concerts,

Darryl Jones 

Artistic Director