Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Jefferson City Cantorum's annual spring concert, "Come to the Music," will begin at 7 p.m. May 6.
The program will feature highlights from the group's past 50 years, said Nancy Waggoner, executive director of the Cantorum.
"All are from our library," Waggoner said. "All were picked because there is something special about them. For example, Edelweiss was performed at our very first spring concert."
Founded in 1967 by J. Patrick Healy and Grayson Peters, the original group was made up of an informal mixed double quartet that began singing at area hospitals during the Christmas season. Since that inaugural group, more than 600 singers have performed with the Cantorum, averaging 60 singers per concert.
The concert will be dedicated to Glen Gonder and Jim Wakeman, both longtime members of the group.
The annual spring concert will celebrate a rich history of musical performance, including collaborations with the St. Louis, Kansas City and Jefferson City symphonies; Jefferson City Jays' Jazz Band; and the Lincoln University and Helias High School choirs.
The Cantorum has performed at various community events and venues, singing on the steps of the Capitol during the July Fourth celebrations, in the Governor's Mansion and at The Royal Theatre in Versailles. In 1983 the group traveled to Ireland for the Cork International Choral and Dance Festival, where they received the prestigious Heinrich Schuetz Memorial Trophy.
The group's shows and concerts have featured an array of musical selections over the years, including Masses, "Pirates of Penzance," American folk music, music by Missouri composers, and music commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Saturday's concert will showcase this variety of music, including pieces ranging from "Maple Leaf Rag" featuring long time accompanist Jan Houser to "Phantom of the Opera" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a treasured piece of the Cantorum's repertoire.
The J. Patrick Healy Scholarship, created in April 2005, will be presented the night of the concert.
Musical Director Suzanne Barner Kitchen will conduct the 58-voice group on the stage of the Miller Performing Arts Center, accompanied by Houser. Students of the Jan Houser Piano Studio will play in the atrium beginning at 6 p.m. when the doors open. Four instrumentalists from Jefferson City will join the group, as well.
"There will also be a small gift for each person who attends," Waggoner said, "something to the audience from us to commemorate our 50th anniversary."
Tickets are available at Samuel's Tuxedos and Gifts, Central Bank West, Hawthorn Bank East, Capital Music, from Cantorum members or at the door the evening of the concert. Prices are $10 for adults, $5 for youth 18 and under, and $8 for seniors. A group ticket for a family of three to five is $25. Tickets purchased the evening of the performance cost an additional $2.
For more information, visit JeffersonCityCantorum.com or call 573-230-2715.