An intimate, eight-voice Indianapolis-based professional chamber orchestra that has filled St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus many times will return for its eighth free Christmas concert at 7 p.m Sunday at the church at 6045 E. State St.
A segment of the Beecher Singers and Orchestra of Second Presbyterian Church, directed by Michelle Louer, will offer a 75-minute performance that includes Baroque works. Most of the vocalists are church members.
The chamber musicians represent a collection of artists from Indianapolis and the surrounding area. This year, that group includes a string quintet, a harpist, and a flutist.
A pre-concert harp recital begins at 6:40 p.m.
Throughout the year, the Beecher group, formed about 25 years ago, performs a broad range of vocal chamber repertoire, recognized for its skilled interpretation of Baroque style and performance of new works alike. Through various outreach concerts, “the ensemble gives myriad opportunities for listeners to experience God through music in the greater Indiana community,” according to the church website.
Music websites define Baroque music, a style that prevailed during the period from about 1600 to about 1750, is known for its “grandiose, dramatic, and energetic spirit but also for its stylistic diversity.”
Louer said the group loves the reception it receives at the St. Paul event, organized by St. Paul member John Sasse, a local music lover who has been a significant behind-the-scenes volunteer for organizations such as the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic.
“The St. Paul congregation and the Columbus community are so very gracious to us,” Louer said. “They’re just a beautiful audience, and it’s such a wonderful space. And my singers absolutely love coming to sing there.
“It’s a real highlight for them.”
Sunday’s program includes works such as Bach’s “The Song of Mary” from his biblical canticle “Magnificat;” a couple of solo Christmas works from organist John Allegar; and numbers to encourage the congregation in carol singing.
“It’s really a beautiful experience,” Louer said.
She has said in the past that “the diversity of music that we present and also the quality of music that we present is part of that (continuing popularity). And, while we certainly have professional-caliber singers, they also approach it with a clear perspective of faith — and we consider this work as part of our outreach.”
The gathering is significant since fewer area churches are presenting concerts beyond the pop-rock genre these days.
Besides local attendees, concertgoers also come from Bloomington, Seymour, Franklin and other surrounding areas, Sasse has said.
