(Posted April 16, 2007)

HUNTINGDON. Pa. -- The Juniata College Choral Union and the Dutch Corner Concert Choir will perform the "St. Anne Mass," by contemporary composer Terry Osman, at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, in Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts on the Juniata campus. The concert is free and open to the public. The Choral Union is directed by Russ Shelley, Elma Stine Heckler Associate Professor of Music. The concert will open with the Chamber Orchestra of the Alleghenies performing "Chamber Suite in D" by George Frideric Handel. Handel is a Baroque composer best known for the compositions "Messiah" and "Water Music." The Chamber Orchestra of the Alleghenies will then accompany the Choral Union on the "St. Anne Mass." In addition, the Dutch Corner Concert Choir will perform with the choral union during the performance of the mass. "St. Anne Mass" is dedicated to the mother of the Virgin Mary and is based on a hymn composed by British choral director William Croft in the early 1700s. Croft's hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past," is quoted throughout this mass. "St. Anne Mass" composer Terry Osman earned a bachelor's degree in 1978 from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. He is the conductor and musical director for the Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown, a post he has held since 1978. He also serves on the music staff at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford. The Chamber Orchestra of the Alleghenies is a Johnstown, Pa.-based ensemble specializing in baroque and classical music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn and Mozart. The Dutch Corner Concert Choir is directed by Frank Antonson, who teaches English in the Bedford Area School District. The Choral Union is the largest choral ensemble at Juniata with a student membership of 75 and another 35 members from communities in the Huntingdon area. The Juniata Choral Union traditionally performs larger choral works.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.