AACC presents Concert for Peace

When we entered the lobby of the Pascal Center for Performing Arts a little after 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, we instantly heard the bright sound of fresh young voices of the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis, and knew we were in for a treat.

Chair of the Performing Arts Department Douglas Brandt Byerly had invited us to attend the first full company “Concert for Peace” rehearsal to include the AACC Symphony Orchestra, the AACC Concert Choir and Chamber Singers along with two soloists and guest choirs. 

Having heard the AACC Symphony Orchestra at previous concerts under Music Director and Conductor Anna Binneweg, I expected to hear again the unmistakable sound of a full-fledged symphony orchestra. 

In this rehearsal setting, I could observe these musicians relish the challenges of difficult new music where they had to accompany choirs and soloists. I was also privileged to observe conductor and musicians’ respectful interaction, first between Conductor Byerly and orchestra and chorus in John Rutter’s “The Falcon” and later with Conductor Binneweg and the orchestra in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem.”

While hearing Rutter’s first large scale choral work composed in 1969, I heard Conductor Byerly interject what he was searching for and observed his satisfaction at hearing the sound of choristers enhanced by the orchestra. 

Later I could observe the rapport between Conductor Binneweg and musicians as she expressed her preferences in this highly dramatic Williams’ work “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace). The gorgeous opening “Agnes Dei” (Lamb of God) section featured a soprano solo sung by Joy Greene whose voice soared effortlessly above the orchestra to create a stunning opening passage that became more moving when joined by the choir.

After the rehearsal Binneweg shared her joy at working with her student musicians, saying “We are honored and delighted to work with our students and professionals on a variety of levels. We are looking forward to this weekend, and our quest for peace within our community and certainly beyond.”

It is a joy to witness this camaraderie and certainly a joy to hear all of the AACC music makers and their guests. They are also a joy to see in all their diversity of age, ethnicity and sizes.

As Byerly says, “Our students come in many shapes, ages, backgrounds, and experience levels – we are a diverse and open group who share at least one thing in common; we all are passionate about great music. The orchestra is over 90 percent students – credit and non-credit students.  For the concert choir, 100 percent students.  In the orchestra and chamber singers, we have faculty and professional musicians that perform as mentors.”   

About the Concert for Peace, Byerly said, “We wanted our students to have the experience of performing music with a greater purpose. Both of the choral pieces on the program are exceptionally difficult and beautiful at the same time.”   

From what I heard at rehearsal, I guarantee everyone who appreciates contemporary classical music will enjoy this program. 

When you consider that you cannot find another comparable entertainment bargain anywhere in this county or beyond, you might want to call the box office at 410-777-2457 to reserve your $10 ticket if you are a student, senior or part of a group for either the 8 p.m. Saturday or the 3 p.m. Sunday performance.