Illuminare: Community Choral Concert

This concert will feature a collaboration of three local choirs: the Eastminster Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, the Sandlapper Singers (conducted by Dr. Augusto "Augie" Gil), and the She Sings Women’s Community Chorus (conducted by Ms. Fredna Lee). Together, these 90 voices will join forces with a chamber orchestra for an evening of music designed to inspire and uplift the spirits of the Columbia community.

This concert, the grand finale of the Sandlapper Singers’ performance season, is more than just a musical performance. It is a charitable initiative to raise funds for The Cooperative Ministry, a local organization that provides essential assistance to families in need, offering support for utilities and financial literacy. The choirs will perform a varied program of choral selections by Hailstork, Stroppe, and Trotta, in addition to the centerpiece of the evening: Illuminare, a 24-minute work by composer Elaine Hagenberg.

Illuminare is a poignant, five-movement piece for SATB choir and chamber orchestra that takes the listener on a journey from darkness to light. Drawing on sacred Latin, Greek, and English texts, it explores themes of hope, peace, and the eventual triumph of light over the shadows of despair. Its instrumentation features brilliant string passages, thought provoking interludes, and powerful climaxes. The work encapsulates the very essence of the concert's mission—bringing light and hope to those in need. The concert also aligns perfectly with the theme of the Sandlapper Singers' 2024-25 season, "From Darkness to Light: Songs of Perseverance and Hope," reflecting the resilience of the human spirit.

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