Unity Choir to perform in Newton

NEWTON — The Unity Choir will present Franz Schubert's Mass in E Flat Major on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. at Newton First United Methodist Church, 111 Ryerson Avenue, Newton, New Jersey.
The concert will be directed by Henry Repp who will also accompany on the church's three-manual pipe organ. The Unity Choir is a group of singers representing various churches in Sussex, Morris, and Warren counties. Other works to be included are Schubert's The Lord is My Shepherd, When in Our Music God is Glorified by Stanford (arr. Mary McDonald), and Prayer of St. Francis by M. Searle Wright. Soloists joining the Unity Choir for the first time will be First Tenor Evan Stenzel and Second Tenor Evan Rieger. Returning soloists include soprano Cassandra Lambros, alto Kathleen Meredith, and bass David Young.
Schubert lived from 1797-1828. The Mass in E Flat Major was written during the last year of his life. It was not performed until after his death in December 1829. Apparently it was presented with inadequate forces and did not achieve much success according to the critics of the day. No wonder that the Mass lay unnoticed for decades. it was not until 1865 that it was brought to the notice of choirs and made accessible through publication for the first time in full score and vocal score.
The concert is free, but there will be a free-will offering. The church is handicapped accessible and has ample parking. A reception will follow and all are welcome to attend this outstanding concert.