DC Music Event: Premier Performance of Schindler's "Missa in Jazz"

In two special US premier performances on May 17 and 18, the German American Chorus, together with Members or the Afro Bop Alliance and the German School Chamber Orchestra, is presenting Peter Schindler's "Missa in Jazz" at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland.

The German American Chorus, comprised of both students and adults, is the choir of the German School Washington, DC.

Under the supervision of condutor Thomas Busch, these singers and musicians will perform "Missa in Jazz", by the 48-year-old southern German composer Peter Schindler, for the first time in its entirety in the United States. Elements of the composition were showcased last winter by the same ensemble in the same venue as part of a special seasonal holiday concert.

The "Missa in Jazz" is based on five existing parts of Catholic liturgy. These texts conceived in early Christian times have served composers throughout history as the foundation of their music. "Missa in Jazz" falls into this tradition as an attempt to reinterpret these ecclesiastical classics using elements of jazz, including improvisation and vibrant rhythms.

"The audience was delighted - including the youngest kids!" one member of the German American Chorus recalls from last December's first "Missa in Jazz" concert. "It is very unusual, yet very melodic."

The Afro Bop Alliance is a Latin Jazz septet from Annapolis, Maryland, created to explore different musical cultures. It uses the instrumentation of a jazz ensemble augmented with congas, timbales, bongos, bells and more in playing compositions in Afro-Cuban or Brazilian styles to create a unique sound.

A saxophonist and a drummer from the Afro Bop Alliance will accompany the "Missa in Jazz" concerts.

The performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 and at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. Tickets are availble through the German School (will call 301-767-3846) or will be available at the door ($15 for adults, $8 for children).

Links:

German School Washington DC

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

Afro Bop Alliance

DC Music Event and Listening Tip (TWIG, Dec. 14, 2007)