Columbia choir performing at Piccolo Spoleto Sunday
The Shandon United Methodist Church Chancel Choir has been preparing for months for a special performance at Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston.
The smaller, companion festival to Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo highlights outstanding local and regional artists. The Shandon choir auditioned and was invited to perform as part of Piccolo’s Festival of Churches and Synagogues. They are the only Columbia choir to be invited, said Eddie Huss, Shandon UMC Minister of Music.
Performing at Piccolo means “extra rehearsals and a lot of work” Huss said. The choir will sing 11 songs during a 50-minute set at Bethel United Methodist Church in Charleston on Sunday.
It will be the choir’s second time performing at Piccolo, Huss said. The first was in 2014.
At a recent rehearsal in the Shandon UMC sanctuary, Huss stood in front of his choir, raising and lowering his arms in time to an organ accompaniment. The choir, which ranges in age from Millennials to seniors, followed his directions. One member of the choir has been singing with the church for 57 years.
“We need to work on our diction,” Huss told the choir. “We need to enunciate every word.”
The choir practiced Leo Nestor’s “The Shepherds Sing” and “Hodie,” a cantata by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Their song selections range from the Renaissance to 20th century.
On Sunday, 25 choir members will travel to Charleston to perform.
“It’s just a fantastic feeling to get to sing in a beautiful church at such a prestigious festival,” Huss said.
The choir will perform at 5 p.m. at the historic Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt St. Free. www.piccolospoleto.com
Here are the highlights of Spoleto Festival USA
Piccolo highlights
More shows of interest this Memorial Day weekend
Saturday, May 28
Sacred Harp Singing is one of the longest-lived singing traditions in America. Everyone is welcome to join in the “shapenote” singing style that features unaccompanied voices, strong rhythms, powerful poetry and starkly beautiful harmonies. Beginner’s lesson 9:30 a.m., morning sing session 10 a.m.-noon, afternoon session 1-3 p.m. Free. Gage Hall, 4 Archdale Street
The Musical Mind is the first public performance to visually demonstrate how the brain of an artist functions as he performs a musical piece. Charleston Symphony Orchestra principal cellist, Norbert Lewandowski, will perform Mariel Robert’s Three Shades, Foreshadows while a live rendering of his brain activity lights up on a projection behind him. This visual and musical experience will be followed by an explanation of brain functioning as it relates to music with neuroscientist Dr. Jacobo Mintzer and Mr. Lewandowski. $11/person. 4 p.m. Riviera Theatre, 225 King Street
Sunday, May 29
Patriotic Parade with Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community band. Originally formed in 1974 as part of a theatre company, this band is known for its fancifully costumed performers and high-energy music. Free. Noon-1 p.m., East Bay and Market streets, seedandfeed.org
Monday, May 30
The Brothers Size sees Trustus Theatre on the road with an imaginative exploration of the tenuousness of freedom and the bonds of brotherhood. Poetry, music and West African mythology combine in this contemporary tale written by Tarell Alvin McCraney. $26/person. 8 p.m. Pure Theatre, 477 King Street
Ongoing
The Complete History of Charleston for Morons presents over 300 years of Lowcountry history in 60 minutes and answers such burning questions as Which is better, mustard-based or vinegar-based barbeque? and What took Mel Gibson so long to join the Continental Army? $16/person. Theatre 99, rear of 280 Meeting Street. 4 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 12:07 AM.