‘The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace’ posted 4/15/08
Adrian College Choir and Lenawee Community Chorus & Orchestra perform

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Adrian College Choir will join the Lenawee Community Chorus and Orchestra in a performance of “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 3 P.M.

The work was originally composed for the tragedy that took place in Bosnia during the 1990’s and was released on September 11, 2001, quite unexpectedly on the same day the Twin Towers were attacked in New York City. The piece interpolates English texts into the Latin Mass, and includes an Islamic prayer, pointing to the poignancy of this work.

Beginning with a dramatic call to arms, the work unfolds as a description of armies gathering for war. In the center of the cantata, the chorus and orchestra scream out in horror as the battle takes place. The second half of the cantata describes the terrible consequences of war in rather graphic detail. The work concludes with the text “Better is Peace than always war!”

The 130-voice choir will be joined by soprano soloist, Elizabeth Major, as well as student soloists and orchestra all under the direction of Tom Hodgman.

The concert will take place in Herrick Chapel located off of Charles St. on the Adrian College campus. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Dr. Hodgman will also give a brief pre-concert lecture about the work beginning at 2 P.M.