PORT TOWNSEND — The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County will present “O! What a Beautiful City” at several venues on the Peninsula this weekend.
Performances are set for 7 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 1111 Franklin St., Port Townsend; at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim; and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 45 Redeemer Way, Chimacum.
Tickets are $15 per person at www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.
The concerts will feature the works of Los Angeles-based composer, arranger and pianist Shawn Kirchner, who will appear as a special guest during the program.
“It has been an honor to work with Shawn Kirchner,” said Jon Stafford, the spring chorus director. “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to bring a composer whom I respect greatly and have enjoyed singing his music for years to Port Townsend. He’s brilliant and energetic. He’s just a treasure trove of information and knowledge. Plus, he’s super passionate about it, and super upbeat — and uplifting, and inspirational.”
The program, which will be produced in collaboration with Sequim’s Peninsula Singers and members of Port Townsend-based choirs the Summertime Singers and the RainShadow Chorale, is part of the chorus’ 50th anniversary celebration.
The choirs each will perform individually and then the singers, directors, piano accompanists, guest instrumentalists and soloists will perform together.
The Community Chorus also will collaborate with the RainShadow Chorale to present George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” in November.
The chorus originally was formed in 1975 to perform “Messiah” and has done so every five years except when interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Laurie de Leonne, RainShadow Chorale’s artistic director, will conduct the oratorio.
For more information, visit www.ptchorus.org.
