Chorale Acadienne - Chorale Acadienne sings to an all-time height

Chorale Acadienne sings to an all-time height
May 14, 2004

There is very little that I can think of that can punctuate reverence to the Almighty as effectively as music, especially as performed in an appropriate setting. Just as the Bible mirrors the human condition, with all its various apogees and perigees, well composed and performed sacred music establishes a similar reflection.

As the climax of things theological occurs upon the point of salvation, the climax of sacred music, generally based upon sacred liturgy or a book of the Bible, occurs with the acknowledgment of salvation.

These observations came to full bloom last week when Chorale Acadienne and UL Lafayette's Children's Chorus performed the world premiere of Paul Baker's newly composed "Requiem of Psalms." The setting, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, served to allow the music's majesty to soar.

As the composer noted in the program, the piece is based upon one of the major themes of the Book of Psalms, the search for meaning in life. Comprising six movements, featuring the Chorale Acadienne, the UL Lafayette's Children's Chorus and a baritone solo performed by Chorale member Ken Cheshire, the requiem deals with such entreaties as "Create in me a clean heart, O God," and affirmations such as "For I shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever." Not too bad of a way to spend an evening, eh?

Paul Baker is something of a Renaissance man, and, as such, it isn't too very surprising that he would pen a work as powerfully varied as his requiem turned out to be. In addition to studying music at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, he is the principal tenor with Chorale Acadienne. For a number of years, he was director of music at Lafayette's St. Barnabas Church.

At present, he is the organist at Asbury United Methodist Church. In addition to having a powerful, reaching tenor voice, which he frequently displays as a Chorale soloist, he almost instinctively functions as a teacher with that organization, helping new Chorale members reach their fullest potential. His bent toward teaching is not all that surprising, inasmuch as he also has completed his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in evolutionary biology at UL Lafayette, and teaches biology at Episcopal School of Acadiana. With all this armament, it is hardly surprising that he is also a distinguished composer, as well.

Is "Requiem of Psalms" an important piece of choral sacred music? According to Chorale Acadienne's director, Dr. Jim Haygood, he sees something that will ensure the international longevity of the piece each and every time he looks at it. The fact that, in the summer of 2005, the music will be performed at New York's Carnegie Hall is but one slice of the validation pie.

When publishing something under the rubric of performing arts, the first hurdle is to have the work performed. According to Baker, this accomplished, the requiem should be officially published by the time it has its New York debut.

The chorale singers' performance of the music was a sure-fire confirmation of Baker, one of their own. Their performance was probably one of the best I ever heard from that group. Baker has included every possible human mood in his work. The singers caught those moods and literally flew to the heavens with them. The angelic part of the performance came from the voices of the Children's Chorus.

I honestly am mystified that more adolescent and pre-teen choral singers don't audition for the Children's Chorus. What those youngsters accomplish, under the able direction of Norma Jean Luckey and accompanist Laura Blum is a true exemplar of the term "voice of an angel."

Call it irony, but it is rather fitting that the performance was given in the same month that the 256th Infantry Brigade is moving out to go into harm's way. Requiem's message, "Trust in the Lord," is applicable to any of us, but it is especially fitting since so many of our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and sweethearts are going to the Middle East.

Godspeed, Steel Lightning. You represent the best of us. Paul Baker's music, the Children's Chorus, and Choral Acadienne represent another aspect of the best of us. Maybe we can convince a composer to write a Gloria of thanksgiving that will be performed when the 256th returns.

Oh, and by the way, did I mention that there was something else to the performance other than Baker's piece? Chorale also performed the three movements of John Rutter's "Gloria." The first movement, especially after the requiem's power was a bit slow, but by the time the "Domini Deus" second movement came around, the entire church reverberated. The final sanctus movement solidified the piece as it lived up to the expectations of its title.

At any case, my hat is off to Jim Haygood, his tremendously talented accompanist Kevin Martin, Chorale choristers and the members of the Children's Chorus for a magnificent interpretation of two great pieces of music.

My hat is off, I bow deeply, wipe away a tear and shout "Bravo!" to Paul Baker. You have given us a glimpse of majesty. My grandfather, Georgie, would be proud to give you his namesake.