The first program, on Wednesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Walther gymnasium is a classical concert. The A Cappella Choir, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir and the Concert Band will perform spirituals and works by Copland, contemporary British composers John Rutter and Bob Chilcott, the current and prolific American composer Daniel E. Gawthrop, 19th century Polish-German Hugo Ulrich, Elizabethan musician Thomas Morley and P.D.Q. Bach (the fictitious 18th Century alter ego of composer and satirist Peter Schickle). Also featured at the classical event, the Wind Ensemble will play the Symphonic Dance numbers from the Broadway score of Fiddler on the Roof and Symphonia Voci by David Holsinger. Senior Giancarlo Segreti of Oak Park will featured in a solo concerto. The String Ensemble will combine with the Walther Grade School Monday Night String Ensemble for the Allegro from Symphonie No. 10 in G Major by Joseph Bolognese Chevalier de St. George, an 18th century African American composer, as well as a portion of Symphonie No. 2 in E-flat by Francois Joseph Gossec, St. George’s teacher and a champion of French instrumental music.
The second concert, on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Walther multipurpose room is an “Evening with the Pops” showcasing the Jazz Band, Christian Minstrels, Gospel Choir, Men’s Choir and Bella Voce. The vocal groups will sing selections from Grease, Chicago, Mulan, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Also in the evening’s repertoire, a rhythm and blues piece by John Legend, the Men’s Choir rendition of a Motown classic -- My Girl, and an arrangement of Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In, written especially for longtime Lutheran Educator Garry Falcone. The Walther Jazz Band will offer what fans have come to expect from the fun-loving, talented group: Solid swinging and groovin' with creative solos from individual musicians.
Mr. Richard R. Rose is the Chairman of the Walther Music Department and the Director of the Walther Grade School Band Program. He conducts the Jazz Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. Mr. Peter Finnegan conducts the high school and grade school String Ensembles and Ms. Lori Bormet is the vocal director for all of the choirs and vocal ensembles. Senior Justin Romano is the student director for the Gospel Choir.
Walther Lutheran High School is a co-educational Christian school located at 900 Chicago Avenue, 1 block north of 9th Avenue and Lake Street, in Melrose Park. The school has an enrollment of just over 400 students from fifty-seven different Chicago area zip codes. For more information about Walther Lutheran High School or the spring concerts, call 708.344.0404 or visit Walther.com.
