The Lee University Choral Union and Symphony Orchestra will present “Beethoven & Bernstein,” a masterworks concert featuring the music of classical composer Ludwig Van Beethoven and 20th century composer Leonard Bernstein. The concert will be Saturday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center.

The first half will feature Beethoven’s “Mass in C,” performed by the 160-voice Lee University Choral Union and Symphony Orchestra, directed by Cameron F. LaBarr. The orchestra will be prepared by Maestro Robert Bernhardt, conductor of the Lee University Symphony Orchestra and music director emeritus of the Chattanooga Symphony. The work will also include performance by  four Lee University faculty soloists: Loralee Songer, soprano, Andre Dismukes, mezzo-soprano, Ron Brendel, tenor, and Tony Deaton, baritone.

The second half of the program will include Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” This three-movement work features well known biblical Psalms such as the 23rd Psalm and Psalm 100 in an expressive musical setting with text in the original Hebrew language. Bernstein used several unused musical fragments from his musical “West Side Story” when composing this piece, written for the Chichester Cathedral in 1965.

Student soloists for the Chichester Psalms are: Marquis Clever, Kaylee Gallagher, Tyler Plemons, and Forbes Talley. The piece additionally includes the talents of Chattanooga boy soprano Chandler Featherton, a student at Chattanooga Christian School and member of the Chattanooga Boys Choir. 

This concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.