Orange Park Chorale Spring Concerts

The Orange Park Chorale, a non-profit ensemble of choral voices, invites the community to experience the depth and beauty of time-honored spirituals and rich, soulful choruses as the choir presents its free spring vocal concert, A Spiritual Journey, in three uplifting performances.

On Saturday, March 21, The Orange Park Chorale will perform at 4:00pm at Mandarin United Methodist Church, 11270 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville. The second concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 22 at 4:00pm at Orange Park Presbyterian Church, 1905 Park Avenue, Orange Park. The third concert will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 4:00pm at Penney Memorial Church, 4465 Poling Blvd., Penney Farms.

Concert attendance is free. Donations will be accepted.

Under the artistic leadership of Artistic Director David Holladay, with Associate Artistic Director Mark Stallings, “A Spiritual Journey” brings together traditional spiritual, folk, and gospel songs alongside well-known African American spirituals, inviting audiences to reconnect with beloved music that has endured across generations. The selections express a wide range of emotion, from sadness and determination to happiness and praise. This thoughtfully curated, engaging collection captivates listeners with rhythms that move from solemn reflection to “can’t sit still” joy.

The showcase song for The Orange Park Chorale’s spring performance is The Chariot Jubilee, a composition rooted in spiritual tradition and folklore. First premiered in 1921, the choral masterwork is an extended setting of the spiritual, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. With a timeless message of hope, salvation and the desire for a better tomorrow, this multi-faceted selection features a heartfelt solo along with other voices of intertwined harmonies, lyrical messaging and rhythms that please the ear.

Other concert selections include Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name, a softly-expressed African American spiritual arranged by Brazel Dennard; Soon-Ah Will Be Done, a prayer to go home and live with God, written by William Dawson; Come by Here, more commonly known as the traditional spiritual Kumbayah, arranged by Kyle Pederson; Wayfaring Stranger, a 19th century American folk and gospel melody written by Howard Helvey; Dry Bones, a toe-tapping spiritual based on Ezekiel’s vision in the Bible, arranged by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi; Ain’t Got Time to Die, a crisp, rhythmic spiritual about staying busy with the Christian work of helping others while praising God, arranged by Hall Johnson; and I’ll Fly Away, a well-known gospel song that looks forward to being heaven bound after our journey on earth is complete, arranged by Craig Courtney.

The Orange Park Chorale, founded in 1992, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The group’s mission is, “To provide opportunities for community participation in the area of choral music. The Chorale’s goal is to provide excellence in the choral arts and to enhance the cultural life of communities in Northeast Florida.” Throughout its history, the members of The Orange Park Chorale have been committed to maintaining the group’s core values of: Musical Excellence, Fellowship, Mutual Respect, Character, and Dedication.

For more information about the Orange Park Chorale or the group’s upcoming spring concerts, visit www.orangeparkchorale.org/upcoming-performances or contact Board Chair Mary Jeannette Howle at 904-868-6666.

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