FREEPORT

The Greater Freeport Community Chorus will perform “Gloria!” Dec. 13 and 14 in Freeport and Cumberland.

A highlight of the winter concert will be Robert Ray’s “Gospel Mass,” featuring guest vocalist Chas Lester. Director Virgil Bozeman leads the 70-member chorus, which is accompanied by pianist Kellie Moody.

Composer and conductor Ray has said “Gospel Mass” resulted from the Second Vatican Council’s decision to allow Masses in native languages, rather than Latin. That opened the Mass to other changes, and in 1978 Ray set the ceremony’s traditional words to contemporary African-American rhythms and harmonies. While Ray wrote “Gospel Mass” for a one-time performance, it was later published and has become popular with churches and community choruses.

Guest soloist Lester is a singer, percussionist, beatboxer and arranger who has performed professionally for nearly 15 years. He is an instructor at the Maine Academy of Modern Music in Portland. Bassist Sean Finn and drummer Jacob Forbes will join the chorus on the six-part “Gospel Mass” as well.

“Gloria!” will also feature composer Franz Schubert’s three-movement “Magnificat.” The text is taken from the New Testament Gospel of Luke, which attributes the hymn to the Virgin Mary. Four soloists from the chorus will perform the second movement of “Magnificat.” Three Christmas carols written by John Rutter and several other pieces will round out the program.

The chorus, whose members hail from 19 area towns, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road, Freeport, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Congregational Church in Cumberland, 282 Main St. Admission is $10 for adults, with a per-family maximum of $25. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

For more information, visit the chorus on Facebook or at www.gfccweb.org.

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