Big Island Singers Spring Concert

The Big Island Singers (BIS), a 34-person chorus, will present soon “Poems, Prayers, and Promises: Celebrating Art, Faith, and Hope.” This season’s repertoire presents “inspirational lyrics, soul-filled music, and uplifting sentiments.”

The concert moves through three thematic sections. The program opens with songs along the theme of Poems including a piece called “To Sit and Dream,” featuring the Jazz Poetry of Langston Hughes, And a song adapted from the childhood book, “Goodnight Moon,” set to a lovely composition by Eric Whitacre.

The Prayers section features South Korean composer’s Hye-Young Cho’s reflection on grief, called “Evocation (Mon-Nee-Joh),” sung in Korean. The centerpiece of the concert is “Evening Prayer,” in which contemporary Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo sets to music St. Augustine’s ancient prayer of comfort. This piece will also feature Hilo saxophonist HeatherSexton.

The concluding Promises section includes such traditional spirituals as “Ezekiel Saw de

Wheel” and “Deep River,” plus a vocal jazz-styled arrangement of “Rainbow Connection.”

BIS is again graced with the musical expertise and creativity of pianist Doug Howell doughowellmusic.com. In addition to accompanying some of the choral pieces, this season Doug joins in on the singing of two songs. He will also present one of his original solo compositions.

Concerts are free, with donations welcome. bigislandsingers.com

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