Rome, Ga. – The Shorter Chorale will celebrate its 50^th anniversary season with a special concert on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Brookes Chapel on Shorter University’s Rome campus.

The Chorale will present selections from a variety of composers, demonstrating the group’s aims of educating students and audiences with classic choral literature, engaging with choral music written by living composers, and encouraging the church with songs of the faith.

Featured composers will be Hassler, Clausen, Ešenvalds, Gibbs, and Sevier. Highlighting the event will be the world premiere of O Glorious Light, a work commissioned in honor of the 50^th anniversary of the Chorale. The composer, Michael John Trotta, has been hailed as “one of the most exciting and prominent new composers of choral music.” His award-winning commissions are frequently performed at Carnegie Hall and at at national conventions of ACDA, NAfME, AGO, and TMEA. His recordings have been broadcast worldwide.

The new work, O Glorious Light, features bright harmonies, smooth lines, and textual sensitivity, according to Dr. Aaron Rice, Shorter’s Director of Choral Activities.

“I am thrilled about O Glorious Light,” Dr. Rice said. “Michael Trotta has created a wonderful piece that highlights the tone of the Chorale. His work beautifully honors the many generations of the Shorter Chorale; the new work has already found favor among industry professionals and could very well add a significant new work to the choral repertory.”

The 50th Anniversary Celebration will also feature the current singers in the group, several of whom have recently garnered accolades at competitions hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Classical Singer. These winners will be singing some of their award-winning work.

The celebration concert is free and open to the public. Chorale alumni and supporters of the ensemble are encouraged to come and be a part of this special evening, Dr. Rice added.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts university committed to excellence in education. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review annually include Shorter on their lists of best Southeastern Colleges. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 40 areas of study, online courses and degree programs, undergraduate programs for working adults, associate’s, and master’s programs.