Combined Presbyterian Choirs To Present Special Cantata In Bucks

NEWTOWN, PA — Two Bucks County church choirs will come together in April and early May to present Elaine Hagenberg's cantata, “Illuminare!”

Accompanied by orchestra, nearly 50 voices from the Newtown Presbyterian Church and from the Morrisville Presbyterian Church will come together to perform the cantata on Sunday, April 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Newtown Presbyterian Church and again on Sunday, May 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

In Newtown, the combined choir will be under the direction of Ben Shively. In Morrisville, James Moyer will direct the cantata.

"Illuminare" is Hagenberg's first extended work, consisting of five movements. Drawing on sacred Latin, Greek, and English texts, the piece takes the listener through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. “But as light gradually returns, hope is restored, illuminating our future and guiding us in peace.”

"Illuminare," composed for chorus and orchestra, has garnered international acclaim for its emotive resonance and seamless integration of choral textures with orchestra.

Renowned for her ability to seamlessly weave lush harmonic landscapes, captivating melodies, and evocative piano and orchestral accompaniments, Hagenberg offers a unique blend of artistic sophistication and universal appeal through her music.

Hagenberg’s award-winning compositional style is profoundly influenced by her connection to nature, beauty, and spiritual reflection. Drawing inspiration from the vivid imagery and themes found in poetry, she crafts intricate musical textures that enrich her narratives and “pull at one’s heartstrings” (NY Concert Review), creating immersive experiences that connect listeners to both the complexity and awe of the natural world and the profound depths of shared human emotion.

In addition to composing full-time, Hagenberg is a guest artist and clinician, seeking to foster meaningful connections through music and texts. Her recent and upcoming residencies and speaking engagements include ACDA conferences, Carnegie Hall Festivals, the Incanto Mediterraneo International Choral Festival in Milazzo in Italy, the Vox Anima London Choral Festival, and the Galway Choral Festival in Ireland.