The Immanuel Choir
The Immanuel Presbyterian Choir was under the direction of Michael Roy from 2003 until 2008. Diane Maltby was the pianist. This fine choir numbered about 15 on a Sunday morning. Five more guest singers were added for the citywide concerts. During the four years this choir was in existence, it performed 7 special concerts. Below are selections from the Immanuel Singers Concerts. Each concert page has related lore and photos.
Below is a selection of audio files taken from the Immanuel concerts and Sunday Morning services.
In Thee Is Gladness: In Dir Ist Fruede, Giovanni G. Gastoldi, ca. 1556-1622, setting by Daniel Kallman. Violin, Allison Northup; recorder, Michael Roy; 'cello, Christy Littlejohn; piano, Diane M. Easter Sunday Service, 2006.
Worthy Is the Lamb, from Messiah: This mighty chorus from Handel's masterpiece is the finale of the oratorio. It is conceded to be level five choral music. This weighty choral piece would rarely be attempted by a non-professional church choir of only 15 singers. Nevertheless, the Immanuel
Choir had the capability to sing this sprawling 7+ minute chorus, with its 7 pages of amens. The cellist and violinist joined in with the piano. Within the "amens," in the instrumental interlude, where a violin duet is written, MR plays the 2nd violin part on tenor baroque recorder. You have heard "Worthy Is the Lamb" performed by large symphonic choruses and professional chamber choirs,..now give a listen to a small, volunteer, resident church choir as it gives the great baroque chorus a praiseworthy rendition.
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Soon Ah Will Be Done (arr. MR): This pre-Civil War spiritual was performed in a 2005 Country/Bluegrass Concert by the Immanuel Singers. The percussionist is Dean Vellenga. Karen Richason is playing string bass. MR is directing and singing with his basses; piano, Diane M.
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Whoopie-Ty-Yi-Yo (arr. MR): To exemplify the vast idiomatic range of the Immanuel Singers, here is an enjoyable choral piece. It was one song in a 30-minute compilation of frontier and cowboy songs called the Western Medley. MR plays guitar. Mark Richason joins in on the 5-string banjo, and Karen Richason plays string bass. The baritone solo is by Lou Rose.
Shenandoah (arr. MR): Garrison Keillor, being of Lutheran heritage, naturally loves choral music. He had a comedy sketch on his Prairie Home Companion spoofing that "Shenendoah" was arranged way too often and legislation should be passed to outlaw any further charts on this tune.
He was being facetious, of course, but all choral directors and arrangers will appreciate the wry wit. Immediately after MR heard the skit, he went home and wrote this arrangement to get it under the wire before it became a felony.
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Turn Your Radio On (Alfred E. Brumley, 1937, arr. MR): It used to be that rural folk who lived way up in the mountains had only their RCA console radios to keep in contact with the outside world. This old mountain radio gospel song speaks of that era. This is a vocal group culled from the Immanuel Singers: Beverley Murdock & Claudia Springer sing soprano; Jan is the alto singer & soloist; John Flynt & Chris Moore, the tenors; MR is singing the bass and playing guitar. The concert is in 2007.
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Glory Opener (medley) (Arr. MR): The master recording was made in rehearsal and extra vocal parts were added in the studio to balance the stereo spectrum. MR also laid down another guitar and elec. bass to the final mix. Diane is at the piano. The songs in the medley are: Train To Glory (which MR wrote for this medley); In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin'; Poor Wayfaring Stranger; We'll Understand It Better By and By; Finale: a reprise of all the songs in quodlibet. Poor Wayfaring Stranger is particularly effective with its contrasting minor key. One may view the score while listening. There is a compelling live-in-concert performance of this here --->
Come, Christians, Join to Sing (Arr. MR): The Immanuel Choir sings an fine introit (Arr. MR), accompanied by two violins (Alison Northup and Anubis de lama Li) 'cello (Christy Littlejohn), and piano (Diane Maltby). The unisons and tone quality are impeccable.
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