The famous choral composer, John Rutter, has written a new large work called Mass of the Children. The Delaware Choral Society (DCS) will present this work with featured soloists and students from the Delaware Music School and Jefferson School, on Friday, April 8, 2005, 7:30 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Sunday, April 10, 2005, 4:00 p.m. at Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Camden, Delaware. Also, his beautiful setting of Requiem will be performed. John Rutter’s compositions have become favorites of listeners and singers because of his beautiful orchestrations and signature melodies. The composer himself is a favorite conductor among choristers when he comes to America from Cambridge, England as a guest conductor. Several DCS members performed his Requiem last Memorial Day in Carnegie Hall in New York City with John Rutter as conductor. The DCS is celebrating Rutter’s 60th birthday all year in its concert series.

Featured in the concerts will be students from the Delaware Music School and the Jefferson School, trained by Ann Freeman and Kimberly Vaughan.

Two favorite soloists from DCS will also perform. Patricia A. Malcolm, soprano, has participated in DCS for many years, and is often featured in solo roles. In recital, Patricia has performed extensively throughout the United States, hoping to enhance the appreciation of the Negro Spiritual, in her own solo style and interpretation. Ms. Malcolm has been featured as soprano soloist with the Harlem Festival Orchestra, and on the PBS series A Celebration of Music.

Darrell Gray, baritone, is also a DCS favorite. He previously performed with DCS in notable compositions by Faure, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Brahms. More recently, Gray has performed throughout Philadelphia and the mid-Atlantic region and served as soloist at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, DE.

The conductor of the Delaware Choral Society for the past 17 years is Judith Moore. She has many years of conducting experience, does extensive work in choral and instrumental arranging, and is the Director of Music at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach.

Tickets for general admission are $12 and seniors/students at $10. Tickets are available by calling 302-335-1957 or at the door Friday, April 8 (7:30 p.m.) at Epworth United Methodist Church, 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and Sunday, April 10 (4:00 p.m.) at Whatcoat United Methodist Church, 16 Main Street, Camden, Delaware.

Spring Concerts of Choral Masterworks

Tickets are on sale for the annual spring concerts of the Southern Delaware Choral Society Choral Masterworks under the direction of David Miller on Saturday April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Milford and on Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m. at the Mt. Olive Methodist Church in Seaford.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, SDCS presents two concerts a year. This concert will span the most popular choral works from Renaissance and Baroque to Classical, Romantic and Modern.

"We thought it would be interesting and fun to ‘get back to basics’ and present a concert comprised simply of Choral Masterworks," said Miller.

Dick Pack will be the on-stage narrator, as they move musically through the various musical periods, from Renaissance and Baroque through the 20th century.

This program is made possible in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts.

The Reformation Lutheran Church is located at 613 Lakeview Ave. in Milford and the Mt. Olive Methodist Church is at 315 High Street in Seaford. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for

students. For tickets or more information call 302-645-7584.