On April 5, 2025, at 8:30 p.m., the Andrews University Singers & Chorale, under the direction of Stephen Zork, will perform their last concert of this academic year at the Howard Performing Arts Center.
According to Zork, the title of the concert, “Paradise Promised,” reflects heaven and how God made it possible for our planet to be saved.
“It is in the spirit of Easter season,” he said, “but it will not just be about Lent and contrite heart, but a . . . celebration of the promises that Jesus Christ gives us through his death and resurrection.”
Zork said people can expect to see both singers and chorale, a small chamber orchestra, a portative organ and a harpsichord during the program. Some of the pieces to be presented include “Sinfonia and Verse I” from J. S. Bach’s cantata “Christ Lag in Todes Banden,” conducted by Jahaziel Gutierrez (graduate student, choral conducting); “In Paradisum” by Edwin Fissinger; “We Must Tell” by Jaelah Simons (junior, music composition) and “Gloria” from Ariel Ramirez’s “Misa Criolla.”
Jonathan Clough (sophomore, music and math), a frequent featured soloist and recently one of the finalists at the 2025 VanderLaan Prize, believes people should come to the concert “because of the diversity of repertoire we will be singing. We are singing songs based on liturgical chants, classical standards like Bach and Mozart, and a piece in Russian, as well as pieces from diverse cultural backgrounds.”
Clough also eagerly awaits the choirs’ collaboration with several instrumentalists, including native instruments from other countries.
Janelle Dobson (graduate student, choral conducting), who is part of the choir, mentioned that one of the pieces she likes is Ramirez’ “Gloria.” The whole work is in a Spanish mass setting, with typical instrumentation and rhythms of Latin America (particularly the southern part, including Argentina, Peru, Chile and Bolivia). The choirs will only sing one movement of the work.
“I think some people have this idea that when it’s a mass, it has to be closer to the original form of a mass … boring, very simple, very homophonic,” Dobson said. “But this one celebrates Argentinian culture and rhythms and is actually a beautiful service.”
Dobson also mentioned that she is enthralled with the poetry in Simons’ piece “We Must Tell,” which she looks forward to performing as she is acquainted with the composer. She also shared that this last concert invites the community and student body to consider joining the singers and chorale next school year. “There is always room for people in the choir,” she said.
Zork personally invites anyone who considers joining to “commit to the opportunity to tell a story through singing.” Those who join might expect to sing pieces like “Psalm 150” by Cesar Franck and “The Heavens are Telling” by Franz Joseph Haydn for next year’s Easter concert.
Clough invites people to consider joining the choir “if they have a deep love for (specifically vocal) music and are interested in learning more about themselves, both as artists and as people.” He notes that “the group is held to a very high standard but gets extraordinary results and is a very close-knit community!”
So, if you like to sing and be part of a group that enjoys praising and telling stories, consider joining the choir next year!
Tickets cost $7 for general audience and $5 for students. You can buy them here. Click here for more information about enrollment and audition for the singers and chorale.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.