March 29, 2024

Newman, UCC Announces Concert - Pavane & Other Calming Music to Soothe the Soul

Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 3:00 PM

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Newman Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is pleased to present a concert titled Pavane & Other Calming Music to Soothe the Soul. This concert will feature the work Pavane by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Also on the program are several works for harmonica and piano, as well as choral selections. This concert features Chris Turner on harmonicas, Geoff Greene on piano and organ, and the Newman Church Adult Choir.

Fauré first wrote Pavane as a setting for piano and chorus. He later reworked it as an orchestral version which has become quite popular. For this performance, Chris Turner and Geoff Greene have arranged the Pavane for chromatic harmonica and organ. The Newman Adult Choir will sing the choral part, which is rarely heard in performance. Pavane features a beautiful yet haunting melody that is first presented simply and then recurs as a variation.

The other works on the program share with Pavane a sense of calm and beauty. The first half of the program features works written for or arranged for chromatic harmonica accompanied by piano. The overall theme for these pieces is that they have lovely melodies and simple textures.

The Newman Adult choir joins the fun for the second half of the program, singing works in the same vein. They will perform How Can I Keep From Singing? and Down in the River to Pray, both including Chris on harmonica. The program culminates with Pavane. For this concert the Newman Adult Choir features Becky Bass, soprano, Barbara Youmans, alto, Neil Letendre, tenor, and Jonne Gomes, bass.

The Pavane & Other Calming Music to Soothe the Soul concert will take place on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 3:00 PM. The public is cordially invited and there is a suggested donation of $10. A reception will follow the concert with an opportunity to meet the musicians. Newman Congregational Church, UCC is located at 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford, RI. For more info, to become a sponsor, or to reserve tickets, please call the church office at (401) 434-4742 x10.

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