St. Thomas of Canterbury Heralds Easter by Performing Sacred Musical "Witness"

ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY HERALDS EASTER BY PERFORMING SACRED MUSICAL “WITNESS”

By Jeb Ladouceur

Photo by Debbie Lange Fifer (click on photo to enlarge)

On Palm Sunday, April 13, Smithtown’s St. Thomas of Canterbury Choir, under the direction of Organist/Choirmaster William Morris, performed the internationally famed Sacred Musical, “Witness,” for parishioners and guests.

Composed and arranged by the acclaimed Lloyd Larson, “Witness” is a skillful blend of original and traditional music that forms a scripture-based narrative. The music thus provides an especially dramatic experience for modern Christian believers. Indeed, Sunday’s cantata included seven different choral offerings and congregational songs appropriate to the Lenten Season.

The sixty-year-old Larson is recognized as a particularly active and creative force by major publishing companies that specialize in church music. Among Lloyd Larson’s one thousand published works are choral anthems, Christmas and Easter compositions, keyboard collections, and instrumentals for both solo and ensemble presentation. The widely recognized music scholar has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from major universities in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois. Accordingly, he is in considerable demand as a teaching professional and lecturer throughout North America.

Members of the St. Thomas choir, led by sopranos and frequent soloists Jane Hubbard and Nancy Darman, were quick to express their delight in performing the Larson version of “Witness” which was sung in the acoustically rich church itself. Their enthusiasm was echoed by basses Ben Mastrocola, David Hubbard, and Vincent Reynolds, as well as soprano Lillian Coulton.

Intimately familiar with church music, both choral and organ, conducting organist Morris flawlessly led the choir, along with the congregation, to a professional instrumental accompaniment track. Diane Dunkhase and oboist Virginia Cardiello (sopranos) agreed with bass Diane Strobodzan and altos Valerie Billi and Alexandra Todaro, that the half-hour performance was a more-than-satisfying experience.

Said alto Angie Morris, “This is such a powerful piece.” And Sheila Yarosh, also an alto, agreed stating, “It’s just wonderful to be a part of it.” Bass Conrad Cardiello added, “The lyrical accounts of believers, deniers, and skeptics, all combined in one concise composition, make ‘Witness’ something truly special.“

Husband and wife narrators Herb and Margo Stead were excellent in their dramatic spoken roles and apparently St. Thomas’s Rector, The Very Reverend Lawrence R. DeLion, spoke for the large audience on Palm Sunday when he expressed agreement that all the choir members, as well as the speakers, were superb. He congratulated each participant by name.