WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY MUSICIANS JOINED BY LOCAL CHOIRS FOR CONCERT

(Submitted photo).

LA GRANDE — They've sung for Desmond Tutu; now they will sing for Union County.

The Willamette University Chamber Choir and Willamette Singers, under the direction of Wallace Long, will perform Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m., at the La Grande First Presbyterian Church, 1398 Washington Ave.

The Willamette Chamber Choir is a 40-voice ensemble that performs throughout the Northwest. Archbishop Desmond Tutu invited the choir to perform in South Africa in 2004.

Music from their South African tour is featured on their fifth CD, "Thula Sizwe: A Celebration of Hope." Their latest CD, "In the Heart of the World," was released in 2006.

The Willamette Singers is a 17-member vocal jazz ensemble. The Singers' 10th CD, "Sea Journey," was released in 2006.

The groups have performed at regional, national and international conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the Oregon Music Educators Association and the International Association of Jazz Educators.

The local performance will feature a variety of sacred and secular works, both a cappella and accompanied. Chamber choir selections range from the seldom heard Samuel Schiedt motet masterpiece for double choir, "Angelus ad pastores ait," to a new work by Sid Robinovitch titled "Soundchants."

Choral ensembles from the La Grande High School, under the direction of Sam Jacobson, and Baker High School, under the direction Tom Isaacson, will also perform.

This free concert is open to the public, although a goodwill donation is encouraged to help Willamette University students pay for the tour.