In harmony: Members of religious choirs join voices for performance of ‘Jubilate Deo’
On a Sunday night in September, beautiful music filled the empty church.
A group of singers had gathered.
They came from several local choirs for one common reason: to share their voices in song inside St. Maurice Church of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Forest Hills, which encompasses the communities of Swissvale through Wilmerding.
Joining were members of Temple David in Monroeville; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, from the neighborhoods of Duquesne, Homestead, Munhall, West Mifflin and Whitaker; and members from St. Rosalia Church in Greenfield, part of St. Paul Cathedral Parish in Oakland.
What brought them together was Psalm 100.
The more than 50 vocalists — under Norman Chapman, director of music ministries for St. Joseph the Worker Parish and Temple David — will present Dan Forrest’s “Jubilate Deo” with full orchestral accompaniment at 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at St. Maurice Church, 2001 Ardmore Blvd.
In the words of composer Forrest: “Jubilate Deo portrays the global aspect of the traditional Psalm 100 text, ‘O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands,’ by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences.”
The choir members are moved by being part of this interfaith collaboration, said Rabbi Barbara Symons of Temple David, part of the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium Community Network. It is a partnership of the municipality’s many faith communities to encourages fellowship and dialogue among religious leaders and communities.
“They’ve developed friendships and harmonies that are beyond music,” Symons said. “It will be magnificent to hear singing in so many different musical settings from around the world.”
Symons will be reading Psalm 100 in Hebrew. The passage will also be read in Latin and English.
It will be sung in seven languages: Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Zulu, Spanish and English.
Forrest said the opening movement sets the ancient liturgical Latin translation of the psalm. The second movement sets the “from age to age” portion of the text in Hebrew and Arabic, evoking ancient cultures from the Middle East.
Movement Three, in Mandarin, is a tranquil setting of the shepherd-sheep metaphor. The fourth movement sets celebratory portions of the text in Zulu and draws from African vocal and drumming traditions.
Movement Five represents Latin America, setting Spanish text to a folk song-style melody and blending traditional folk instrumental sounds with imitative textures. The sixth movement portrays the earth, itself.
The finale unites many of the key themes and cultures from previous movements, according to Forrest.
Rehearsals began in August. Vocalists also practiced on their own.
The opportunity to connect in this way is extremely important to their congregation, said Marsha Boswell, who with husband, Randy Boswell, sings in the choir at Temple David.
“It is so beautiful, and Norm is the best choir director ever,” Marsha Boswell said. “He is so welcoming.”
Connie Schwartz of Temple David said it is part of the synagogue’s culture to connect with all faiths.
“It is a unique piece,” said Jan Zimmer, of Temple David. “Music connects all of us.”
It definitely does, agreed Anna Marye Carcia from the St. Rosalia choir.
“It has been an amazing experience to be part of a choir like this,” Carcia said. “This piece has been so challenging. I like a challenge, because it keeps me on top of my game. I have met so many wonderful people who are so amazingly talented. ‘Jubilate Deo’ is awe-inspiring.”
The idea for the event came when Chapman and Tom Coyne, director of music ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle, had a conversation about a possible musical collaboration. They reached out to the other choirs and to the Good Shepherd Ringers from St. Joseph the Worker Parish, one of the premier hand bell choirs in the area, which will also be performing.
Chapman invited Chris Catone, who leads the St. Rosalia choir in his position as associate director of music at St. Paul Cathedral Parish, to write a song. Catone composed a piece called “The Love of God.”
“Choir is community, and this right here is community building,” said Catone, who also teaches at the University of Pittsburgh. “To have an event with people of different faiths and singing in different languages that is centered on diversity and inclusion will be quite a beautiful evening of music.”
Catone has known Chapman for 25 years and said he is a mentor and a friend, as well as “a fantastic musician and such a positive guy.”
“This is definitely his calling,” Catone said.
Chapman said he is grateful for the dedication of this group. He said he tries to make the rehearsals fun.
“This has brought so many people together,” said Chapman. “I am so impressed with them. It is really an uplifting piece. We are looking for a way to infuse joy and bring some positivity.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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