Pemi Choral presents enchanting night

Last Saturday evening the Colonial Theatre was filled with the glorious sounds of choral music, reminding us that, while music may not be one universal language as it is clearly influenced by culture and geography, music brings people together.

This was the 50th Anniversary concert of the Pemigewasset Choral Society, one of two concerts celebrating this occasion. The second was a matinee held on Sunday afternoon in Plymouth.

The first concert of the Pemi choir was held on May 12, 1974, and among the 100 singers standing on the raised platforms on Saturday evening, there were three individuals who had performed in the first concert. The members of the choir come from over 30 communities in Central New Hamsphire.

Director Will Gunn is also the director of music at Plymouth Regional High School. The accompanist, Laura Belanger lives in the Lakes Region and serves as an organist at the Sanbornton Congregational Church.

The first half of the program included songs with themes of nature and love.

“I Soared Without Regret” was a piece commissioned for the choir and composed by well-known composer and performer Moria Smiley. The words were a poem written by Jane Babin, who was a professor at Plymouth State University. Babin died in 2015 after suffering from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, for 11 years. While she was forced to retire from teaching in April 2005, she continued to reach out to people, inspiring and helping others through her courage. “Pearls in the Pond” a collection of her poems and writings written over 15 years was published in 2007.

After the intermission, the choir performed the Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G major. The soloists for this beautiful piece were soprano Janet Poissan, bass Michael Gallagan and tenor AJ Coppola. The evening ended with “Until I Reach my Home,” a African America Spiritual. The choir swayed to the rhythm of the music and people in the audience began to clap.

For my family, attending a Pemigewasset Choral Society concert is a moment to remember our beloved Auntie Ruth Millar who sang in the Choir. She loved singing and developed many friendships through her involvement over many years.

And, what a joy to be at the Colonial Theatre. I served on the Mayor’s Task Force as the project was being developed and we were determined to make Edward Engler’s vision a reality. It is artists, musicians, writers, poets and dancers who can not only bring economic vitality but joy to a community.

President of the Pemigewasset Choral Society Susan Scrimshaw wrote a message in the concert program and ended it with these words:

“Optimism runs through the music in this concert. Our chorus founders had optimism in abundance. We are grateful for their work and the dedication of those who followed as singers, directors, accompanists, board members, and supporters. We look forward to many more years sharing our songs with you.”

If you haven’t attended a Pemigewasset Choral Society, concert I encourage you go their website, pemichoral.org and learn about when they are performing.

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Elizabeth Howard is the host of the Short Fuse Podcast, found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or through the Arts Fuse. Her career intersects journalism, marketing and communications. "Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back," a book she edited, was published in May 2016. She is the author of "A Day with Bonefish Joe," a children’s book, published by David R. Godine. You can send her a note at eh@elizabethhoward.com.