Choirs join to perform 'moving' Mass
Four musical groups will collaborate in concert with Anton Bruckner's Mass No. 2 at the First Baptist Church of Aiken on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The concert, which is free to the public, has brought together the First Baptist choir, the Aiken-based Masterworks Chorale, St. John United Methodist Church of Augusta and the University Concert Choir from USC Aiken.
In a discussion before a rehearsal Monday, several people involved with the program acknowledged that it's an unusual convergence for a Catholic Mass. Among them was James Bennett, First Baptist's associate minister of music. While the perspective that Catholics, Baptists and Methodists bringing such an event would vary markedly, he said, there is one significant commonality.
"This music is powerfully moving," Bennett said. "No one choir participating in this particular venture could perform it alone, and the music speaks to each of us in very profound, though sometimes radically, different ways."
First Baptist has a long history of community involvement and ministry and looks for ways to partner with others for the greater good and greater service, Bennett said. Dr. Joel Scraper, the USCA vocal professor and Masterworks director, shares that philosophy.
When he arrived in Aiken about four years ago, Scraper was impressed with the wide range of music programs and performances throughout the CSRA. Yet he realized that few groups were performing together.
At the same time, Scraper wanted his own students to get exposure to work beyond their grasp, to say they had been challenged to perform at a very high level.
USCA concert choir member Chris Church said in jest that the students are performing the Bruckner because the professor said so.
"Actually, it's nice to get out and be with the community," Church said. "When you work on any piece, there's that 'aha' moment. That's the reason I sing - to make a connection to the audience. I hope all of us can enjoy it together."
Ironically, Scraper didn't care for the Bruckner Mass No. 2 as a college undergraduate. Only as a graduate student and after years of teaching did he renew his acquaintance with 19th-century choral music and Bruckner.
"Whether it is was maturity or serendipity, I fell madly in love with it," Scraper said. "Of all the time periods, this one is a blessing to me. It's where I can put my spirit and rest it there."
Jamie Garvey, the music director at St. John, said her church members are delighted to join the project. She drew laughter from the choral participants, suggesting that Scraper just doesn't appreciate the level of difficulty of the Bruckner work. But Garvey grew serious in talking about the Mass.
"It's such an enriching experience spiritually," she said. "It's a brilliant concert piece apart from any organized religion. But for people looking for a spiritual encounter, there's a good chance they'll find it. It's deeply powerful and grabbed me in a mystical way I can't really define."
Lorraine Ray, Masterworks' volunteer administrator, also celebrated the collaboration that has brought more than 100 people together.
"It's such a thrill to have new faces and hear that sound and anticipate the performance," she said. "This is one of our proudest moments."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.