By Carolyn White
The Chancel Choir and soloists of The Congregational Church of Manhasset will present their annual Spring Concert on Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the church. This concert is being performed in memory of Andrew McMorris, grandson of Jim and Sally McMorris, longtime members of the Chancel Choir. Andrew, at age 12, died from injuries sustained after he was struck by an alleged drunk driver on September 30, 2018, while on a hike with his Boy Scout troop.
The major portion of the program will feature the Mass of the Children, written in 2003 by English composer, John Rutter, after the sudden death of his son. The Mass is a non-liturgical Missa Brevis, a Latin Mass without a Credo, in five movements. Several additional English texts are also included, and these form a progression from waking to sleeping that runs through the work as a counterpart to the liturgy of the conventional Mass text. The program will also feature selected anthems by the composer, including “For the Beauty of the Earth,” “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” “A Gaelic Blessing,” “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” “Wings of the Morning” and “Look to the Day.”
The concert is under the direction of Craig Tocher, with organ and piano accompaniment by Bernadette Hoke and a chamber orchestra of nine instrumentalists.
The community is extended a cordial invitation to attend this free concert and remain for the reception in the church’s Parish Hall following the performance. The Congregational Church of Manhasset is located at 1845 Northern Blvd., Manhasset. All areas are handicapped accessible and there is on-site parking. For additional information, call 516-627-4911 or visit the church’s website at www.uccmanhasset.org.
Carolyn White is a freelance writer.
