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POWELL, Wyo. ─ The Northwest College Choir and Powell High School Concert Choir reprise their annual Vespers Concert Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Powell, located at 137 W. Second St.
The Northwest College Faculty Brass Quintet will provide prelude music starting at 7 p.m. The choirs will present a musical meditation on the Christmas season under the direction of NWC Assistant Professor of Music Jan Kliewer and PHS Choir Director John Miller.
Percussion, piano, organ and bass join in a musical celebration of a Paul Halley arrangement using the Gregorian chant “Ubi Caritas” and a traditional Nigerian folksong.
The concert typically closes with quiet, meditative music, but Kliewer said the choirs will break tradition this year and perform “Gloria,” an upbeat piece by Allen Pote.
The simplicity and drama of the candlelit concert has helped the annual vespers concert in Powell become an increasingly popular tradition since its inception in 1992. The word vespers comes from the Latin word for evening, according to Kliewer. Vespers concerts, featuring a repertoire of psalms set to music, were traditionally performed at twilight when lamps were first lit. Kliewer said modern vespers concerts are still associated with evening performances, but have broadened to include other sacred music.
Admission is free.