February 23, 2005

Whitworth Choir Presents Spring Concert Tour,
"Music for the Seasons of the Church"

The acclaimed Whitworth Choir will perform in six locations in California March 13-19 and in Spokane March 29 for its 2005 spring concert tour, "Music for the Seasons of the Church." Admission to the concerts is free; a free-will offering will be taken to benefit the choir. For more information, please call (509) 777-3280.

Tour performances will feature pieces that observe the seasons of the church, including Yea Though I Wander, by Georg Schumann, for Lent; Lord, In Thy Resurrection, by J. Gallus-Handl, for Easter; and I Will Pour Out My Spirit, by Bernard Naylor, for Pentecost; as well as several spirituals, including the Trinidad carol The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy and Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen.

"The journey that we embark on through the seasons of the church is similar to seasons of the year," says Director of Choral Activities Marc A. Hafso. "However, rather than focus on the planetary orbits or crop rotations, in the church we focus on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Remembering Christ's journey before us, the Whitworth Choir in this year's spring tour is pleased to present literature that focuses on that spiritual journey."

Following is concert information for each location:

Los Angeles, Calif.:

When: Sunday, March 13, at 9 a.m.
Where: Bel Air Presbyterian Sunday Service, 16221 Mulholland Drive

Westlake Village, Calif.:

When: Sunday, March 13, at 7 p.m.
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 32111 Watergate Road

Montecito, Calif.:

When: Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
Where: El Montecito Presbyterian Church, 1455 E. Valley Road

La Cañada, Calif.:

When: Tuesday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: La Cañada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd.

Hollywood, Calif.:

When: Friday, March 18, at 7 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1760 N. Gower St.

La Jolla, Calif.:

When: Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m.
Where: La Jolla Presbyterian Church, 7715 Draper Ave.

Spokane, Wash.:

When: Tuesday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Augustine Church, 428 W. 19th Ave.

The Whitworth Choir is considered one of the premiere collegiate choirs in the Northwest, and has performed with the Spokane Symphony and Chorale. The choir is frequently selected to perform at conventions for the American Choral Directors Association, the Washington Music Educators Association, and the Music Educators National Conference, and recently released its fifth CD, Gloria.

Contacts:

Marc A. Hafso, professor of music and director of choral activities, Whitworth College, (509) 777-4589 or mhafso@whitworth.edu.

Joan Lack, performing arts tour coordinator, music department, (509) 777-3280 or jlack@whitworth.edu.

Julie Riddle, public information specialist, Whitworth College, (509) 777-3729 or jriddle@whitworth.edu.