Choir and Orchestra perform original work by Bartsch

September 24, 2007

The congregation of Sisters Community Church in Sisters, Oregon heard the first performance of an original piece by associate professor of music John Bartsch on Sunday, September 16.  Corban’s choir and orchestra, under the direction of Matthew L. Strauser, presented “Behold the Lamb of God” as a featured song during morning worship services at the Sisters church. 

It was the culminating event of the Fall Music Retreat as nearly seventy choir members took places around the sanctuary and sang, accompanied by twelve orchestra members on the front platform.
College concert and jazz bands also provided music during the prelude, worship, and postlude times. 

Just this past August, Bartsch wrote the music for “Behold the Lamb of God” to accompany an unpublished text by Fanny J. Crosby.  He had found the short, three-stanza poem in a book of her previously unpublished texts, which number over a thousand.  His arrangements of the piece for both choir and orchestra were finished within a few days. 

“Music just pours out of this man,” said Dr. Virginia Cross, music department chair.  “This summer was a very productive time for him, especially in Christmas music.” Bartsch admitted to having composed over 160 pieces in recent years--many of which are arrangements for brass ensembles or string, piano, and flute—and probably a thousand throughout his career.  Among them is “Psalms of Dedication” which was performed at the Psalm Performing Arts Center when it was dedicated in fall 2005.  Choral director Strauser also credits Bartsch with providing quality music that is readily accessible to smaller churches.  When Strauser recently asked him to write for a broader audience, Bartsch provided an a capella piece for Corban’s chamber choir in a matter of days. It will be performed at the October 9 Choir and Strings Concert.

What the Sisters congregation did not hear at the Sunday rendition of “Behold the Lamb of God” was a part Bartsch wrote for the harp, which Crosby mentioned in the third stanza of her poem.  The orchestra pianist, Caleb Stapp, played the harp score for that performance. At the October 9 concert, music faculty and students anticipate the addition of a harpist to the ensembles, bringing life to Crosby’s words:

Oh, strike your harps of gold,
Ye ransomed host above.
Praise Him who bought you with His blood
and saved you by His love.

--Fanny J. Crosby
Jan. 7th, 1872

The two worship services at Sisters Community Church offered just the opportunities for team-building and performance for which the weekend retreat was designed, according to Dr. Cross.   A record number of students—103—and five faculty members participated in the weekend activities that led up to the church performances in Sisters.

Corban student and faculty musicians look forward to other opportunities to perform this fall.  Bartsch’s works and much more will be featured in recitals, concerts, and expositions, as well as a Christmas music event at the Salem Capitol Rotunda.  Visit the Music Department's web page for the fall schedule.

Music majors and non-majors alike are welcome to join any of the choirs, bands, and string ensembles on campus.  In leading these groups, the faculty members of the music department look forward to helping Christian students develop the biblical values, musical skills, and professional knowledge they need to serve our world effectively, representing Christ in life, ministry, and service.