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St. John’s director’s music to debut in March |
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:00 |
TOLEDO—Luke Rosen, director of choral music at Toledo St. John’s Jesuit High School, also is a composer and a piece he wrote is to premiere March 13 and 14.
His music is being performed by the Toledo Masterworks Chorale at 8 p.m. March 13 at First Presbyterian Church in Maumee and at 7 p.m. March 14 at the Defiance Arts & Media Center. The piece, “Hallelujah,” was originally written in 2007 for the St. John’s Jesuit men’s chorus.
Mr. Rosen is having another original composition presented that he wrote for the Ohio University Singing Men of Ohio (SMO). Brook Jarosz, a St. John’s Jesuit alumnus and member of the Ohio University troupe “had been urging me to write a piece for the group,” Mr. Rosen says. “Over this past fall, I started formulating ideas.”
Jesuit Father Joaquin Martinez, president of the high school, mentioned the poem “Invictus” as a possible base to his creation.
“I liked the idea, but was looking for something a little more expansive,” Mr. Rosen says. “I wrote the lyrics for the piece, based on ideas from ‘Invictus’ during the fall. I began setting the text to music soon after.” He finished the text, “I Have Seen,” just before Christmas.
Dr. Peter Jarjisian, director of SMO, agreed to perform “I Have Seen” during this spring season. The piece is to premiere March 13 at OU. The group also is to perform it at a Men’s Chorus Conference at Miami University the following week.
As a part of its spring tour, SMO is to stop in Toledo March 24. A free concert is to be given at St. John’s at 8 p.m. with Mr. Rosen’s piece being presented.
“The level of musicianship this group possesses is truly remarkable, and their concert should be spectacular,” he said.
“I know they have spent a huge amount of time and effort on ‘I Have Seen.’ Last Friday, they invited me to attend a rehearsal and work with the group,” Mr. Rosen says. “They have done a great job bringing my music to life. I am excited to have the SJJ community hear the work of this fine ensemble.”
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Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:00 |
