Shrewsbury – Assabet Valley Mastersingers will present two compositions new to this area in a concert titled “Songs of Hope and Consolation” Saturday, May 14, at 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury.
Artistic Director Robert Eaton will lead the chorus and chamber orchestra in a program featuring “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest, described as “a fresh and inspiring perspective on life, love, loss, and renewal.” The second selection in this concert will be Henry Mollicone’s “Beatitude Mass: for the Homeless” with text inspired by interviews with homeless people and including words from the Latin Mass. Of greatest importance is the Beatitude “Blessed are the Poor,” expressed with eloquence and simplicity. Vocal soloists soprano Jean Danton and baritone David Bonneau will complete the concert ensemble.
Volunteers of Friends of Families in Transition will be at the concert to collect items to assist families who have been placed in emergency shelter. Items to be collected are sunscreen, baby shampoo and lotion, kids’ flip-flops, kid-friendly snacks, Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards, or donations by check made out to Friends of Families in Transition (FFIT).
Concert tickets may be purchased through www.AVMsingers.org or in advance at Shattuck’s Pharmacy, 17 W. Main St., Northborough; Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union, 489 Boston Turnpike (Route 9); The English Garden Florist, 1 E. Main St., Southborough; Serendipity, 63B Main St., Hudson; and Joy-Den Jewelers, 209 Main St., and Main Street Café, 182 Main St., both in Marlborough. Advance sale tickets from outlets in these five towns are discounted $3 from the regular price of $25 and $20 for students and seniors.
St. Mary’s Church is accessible to the physically challenged, and large print programs will be available. For further information, call 978-562-9838 or visit www.AVMsingers.org. Partial funding for the Assabet Valley Mastersingers, a nonprofit organization, has been provided by the Webster Five Foundation, the Southborough Community Fund of the Foundation for MetroWest and by the Massachusetts Cultural Council through local arts councils of Berlin, Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough and Westborough.
