Spring Concert 2024
Join us Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 PM for our Spring Concert, “Night and Day,” at Central Christian Church.
The concert will feature music by composer Elaine Hagenberg that will be performed on the International Tour to Italy this summer!
Admission at the door is $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Opus 24 is going to Italy!
Decatur’s very own Opus 24 is about to embark on the musical adventure of a lifetime: a trip to Italy, with its rich musical history and cultural heritage. This is the perfect setting for Opus to learn, grow, and share their passion on an international stage while showcasing their exceptional talent.
To make this dream a reality, Opus 24 is reaching out to the community, local businesses, and individuals who share their passion for music and cultural exchange. If you are interested in donating to or sponsoring the trip to Italy, please visit our Support page or contact decaturchoralfund@gmail.com.
Conductor’s Message
Consisting of five-movements for SATB chorus and chamber orchestra, Illuminare, by Elaine Hagenberg, is her first extended work. Using lesser-known sacred Latin texts, the piece takes us through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. But as light gradually returns, hope is restored, illuminating our future and guiding us in peace. Illuminare, with its theme of light and darkness, was the impetus for our spring concert’s theme.
Night and day have long been symbolic of various philosophical and spiritual concepts across cultures and belief systems. The symbolism of night and day is rich and multifaceted, offering insights into the human condition and the mysteries of existence. The repertoire chosen for this concert expresses the concepts of dualism, the cycle of life, symbolism, contemplation and also metaphor within the theme of light and darkness, or Night and Day.
In addition to their symbolic meanings, night and day also have practical implications in human life. Nighttime is associated with rest, introspection and dreaming, while daytime is associated with activity, productivity and engagement with the external world. This perception mirrors the rhythm of life itself, with periods of darkness and stillness followed by periods of light and movement.
The concept of night and day is deeply ingrained in human culture and literature. It illustrates contrasting elements that reflect various themes and ideas which we hope you will hear in the performance of these choral gems. The symbolism is rich and multifaceted, representing a range of ideas and emotions. Whether portraying the struggle between good and evil, the journey from ignorance to enlightenment, or the natural cycle of life, night and day continue to captivate our imaginations and inspire our creative expressions.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you, our dedicated audience. Thank you for joining us!
Decatur Choral Society Purpose
A) To plan, promote and develop the opportunity for singing and performing a broad range of distinguished sacred and secular choral literature for the people of Decatur, Macon County and surrounding communities in Illinois.
B) To promote public appreciation of choral works and performance of them and to educate the general public in this type of music.