What's Happening in Colchester, VT…

One of the masterpieces of classical music will be performed in Colchester next month.

The Burlington Choral Society will present Verdi’s “Requiem,” using a score that has been written specifically for a small orchestra. The Society was co-founded by Professor Frank Lidral and Professor Francis Weinrich, and gave its first performance in December 1976 of Handel’s “Messiah,” with Professor Weinrich on the podium. During its first years, the choir was usually accompanied by organist John Henzel. Henzel took over in 1983 when Weinrich retired, and started the practice of accompanying most concerts with an orchestra.

Thomas Strickland was the organist when Henzel made his debut, and eventually became music director after Strickland’s retirement. He held the post for seven years, greatly expanding the chorus’s repertoire.

Since its beginning, the Burlington Choral Society has performed a wide variety of works including well-known classical requiems, masses, and oratorios, as well as less-frequently heard works like Handel’s “Solomon.”

Under the leadership of Professor David Neiweem of the University of Vermont, the chorus has expanded further and sung world premieres including “Stars” by Patricia Julien, “From Revenge to Forgiveness” by Michael Hopkins, and Neiweem’s own composition, “The Choir Immortal.”

The performance is scheduled for April 20, from 6.00 pm until 9.00 pm, at Elley-Long Music Center, located at 223 Ethan Allen Avenue in Colchester. When organizers plan events like this, they will often work with brochure printing to create informative programs for the audience.