The Nova Singers' “Come to the Woods" -- April 12 and 13.
Saturday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.
First Lutheran Church, 364 East Water Street, Galesburg IL
Sunday, April 13, 4 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa Street, Davenport IA
As the largest and longest living plant on earth, trees have inspired art for centuries. And in celebration of spring, the area's professional vocal ensemble the Nova Singers invites patrons to experience the beauty and wonder of trees through song in the group's 2024-25 season closer Come to the Woods, being performed at Galesburg's First Lutheran Church on April 12 and Davenport's First Presbyterian Church on April 13.
In the lauded company's latest pair of concert presentations, the Nova Singers will take on Jake Runestad’s Come to the Woods, set to the words of John Muir, Gwyneth Walker's The Great Trees accompanied by piano and clarinet, folk songs by Holst and Brahms, and many other gorgeous songs about trees. In describing the concert event, Nova Singers founder and music director Dr. Laura Lane says, "Two things stand out about this program: the beauty and the variety. I don’t normally get goosebumps any more, but during the first rehearsals of this music with Nova Singers, I sure did! Sometimes, my breath was completely taken away by the sheer beauty of the sound.
"And the variety," Lane continues. "Oh my goodness! From the simplicity and elegance of Brahms’ folk songs to the sumptuous, symphonic crescendos in Heart’s Reflection, to the playfulness and rhythmic energy of a Latvian a cappella song, the variety in this program is astounding. Plus, Runestad’s Come to the Woods sounds like a movie soundtrack, swinging from the boisterous joy of a ‘glorious day’ to the power of a raging thunderstorm, to the calm after the storm."
A display on the benefits of trees compiled by the City of Galesburg Tree Commission can be viewed at both concerts, while members of the City of Galesburg Tree Commission will be available at the Galesburg concert, where patrons can enter a drawing to win a tree. Come to the Woods is sponsored by G & M Distributors, and the Nova Singers’ 2024-25 season is partially supported by grants from the City of Galesburg, the Galesburg Community Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Founded by Lane in 1986, Nova Singers is a 22-voice ensemble with a nation-wide reputation for expressiveness, virtuosity, and innovative programming. Nova Singers has performed at state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, has produced nine professional recordings (including five Christmas CDs), and has received numerous grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. From Byrd to Brahms to Arvo Pärt, versatility and flexibility have been hallmarks of the organization, and their uniqueness is frequently demonstrated in Nova Singers’ world premieres of commissions from composers such as Ruth Watson Henderson, Thea Musgrave, Bruce Polay, William Hawley, and Daniel Godsil.
Composing the Nova Singers in its 2024-25 season are: Corgan Ball; Pat Burr; Chelsea Crumbleholme; Emily DiBenedetto; Curtis Fischer-Oelschleager; Hillary Erb; David Foster; Allison Good; Dakota Howard; Noel Jean Huntley; Joel Kolander; Jazzy Lerner; Sarah Lounsberry; Alyssa Mathias; Jeffrey Moore; Libby Moore; Brandon Ouellette; Christian Sauder; Callen Sederquist; Ian Smith; Rachel C. Vickers; and John Whitson.
The Nova Singers' Come to the Woods concerts will be performed at Galesburg's First Lutheran Church on April 12 at 7:30 p.m., and at Davenport's First Presbyterian Church on April 13 at 4 p.m. Admission is $17-20 with students admitted free, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)341-7038 and visiting NovaSingers.com.
