The Nauvoo Community Choir held its spring concert on Saturday evening, April 20th, at the Nauvoo Discovery Center (formerly Christ Lutheran Church), 1110 Ripley Street, Nauvoo.
The concert featured 11 songs, some sacred and others just plain fun.
The evening began with a performance of “Scarborough Fair,” followed by soprano soloist Catherine Hull singing “Hear Me, O Messiah.”
As the night progressed, the audience sang “Simple Gifts” (an old Shaker song), “Greensleeves” (sung by bass soloist Jacob Clayton), “Amazing Grace” (bassist Lee Schack), ” I enjoyed spiritual songs such as “The Prayer” (bass solo player). (duet by Joanne Gallaher and Rick Marshall) and “How Great Thou Art” (duet by Katherine Hull and Lee Schack).
The 25-member choir didn’t shy away from the livelier songs, and their enthusiasm shined through the Andrews Sisters’ fun 1940s songs, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Buffalo Gals.” (Sorry, I meant Carol Conrad, Joanne Gallaher, and Alyssa Wakefield).
Bass singer Jacob Clayton sang a solo rendition of “Greensleeves,” followed by a duet of “Flight” with Lisa Compton and Joanne Gallaher.
The choir concluded with the show tune “When You Believe” from The Prince of Egypt (1998).
The audience (approximately 60 people) responded enthusiastically. The entire concert lasted about an hour. Admission was a voluntary donation.
The venue, Old Christ Lutheran Church, was very beautiful. Wooden floors and stained glass windows featuring Christ the Shepherd add to the atmosphere. As I listened, I sometimes thought of the generations of Christians who have worshiped within these walls since the 19th century. It is truly one of Nauvoo’s treasures.
The Nauvoo Community Choir will be participating in the Messiah concert, and additional Christmas concerts will be held later this year.
