EIGHTY choristers and a small orchestra will gather this weekend in Port Macquarie to rehearse and perform Karl Jenkins’ work ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace.’
The concert will take place in St Agnes’ Catholic Church at 2pm on Sunday 9 August.
Led by local musician Robyn Ryan, OAM, the work is a stirring call for peace.
“The text is very strongly anti-war, with such emotive vocal work,” said Ms Ryan.
“Many of the musicians are the creme de la creme of Port Macquarie.
“Heather Moen-Boyd, a renowned organist from Sydney, will accompany the choir on the digital pipe organ in St Agnes’ Church.”
Originally commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, England, the work premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 25 April 2000 as part of the Millenium celebrations.
Jenkins wrote the work as a reflection on war, and he dedicated it to the victims of the Kosovo War 1998-9, whose tragedies were unfolding as the work was being composed.
The music is contemporary and cosmopolitan, using the parts of the traditional Catholic Mass alongside the Muslim Call to Prayer, the Hindu Mahabharata and lyrics drawn from diverse cultures of the world.
Port Macquarie musicians, Jeff, Samantha and Evan Barnsley, are performing in the concert.
The family often plays together, usually with Evan on a tuba or sousaphone, Samantha on piccolo or flute, and Jeff on trumpet.
This time Evan is singing bass, for him the first time in a choir.
The stirring music and the enduring message of peace is timely, and local audiences are in for a moving musical feast.
Tickets are just $20 with all proceeds supporting the homeless and needy in the community through the St Agnes’ Foundation.
Tickets are available via the QR code in the advertisement, at the St Agnes’ presbytery in Hay Street or at the door.
By Pauline CAIN
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