NEWS RELEASE
HOSPICE ORILLIA
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On Sunday, Nov. 10, the combined choirs of St. Andrew's, Guardian Angels, St. James', St. Paul's, and Orillia & Friends will present an ecumenical choral service in support of Hospice Orillia featuring Requiem by renowned English composer John Rutter.
This is a freewill offering event, where guests are not required to purchase a ticket, but rather freewill offerings in support of Hospice Orillia will be gratefully accepted. One-hundred-percent of the funds received will help with the ongoing community-based hospice work that Hospice Orillia has been doing in the city of Orillia since 1989.
“The timing of this event couldn’t have been better,” said Amanda Tevelde, Communication & Fundraising Coordinator, Hospice Orillia.
“On Nov. 1, Hospice Orillia celebrated their 30th anniversary. What better way to celebrate than to be surrounded by the members of your community who are the heart of your organization," she said.
It has been said that much of the choral music of the contemporary English composer John Rutter "speaks from the heart to the heart." This is certainly the case with his setting of the traditional Requiem, which he composed in 1985, a year after the death of his father, to whom it is dedicated.
Inspired by the iconic Requiem choral setting by the late 19th-century French composer Gabriel Faure, Rutter's setting of the Requiem is a work of lyricism and rich choral writing which exudes an aura of consolation.
Unlike the lengthy concert Requiems by such classical composers as Verdi and Berlioz, Rutter's Requiem has a duration of approximately 45 minutes, yet it is full of dramatic contrasts and inserts Psalm texts sung in English as well as the traditional Latin Requiem liturgy.
The presentation at the Nov. 10, 3 p.m. choral service at St. Paul's will be accompanied by a seven-piece instrumental ensemble including harp, cello, oboe, flute, tympani, percussion, and pipe organ and conducted by St. Paul's organist and choir director Blair Bailey.
Laura AylanParker will be the featured soprano soloist.
“I was lucky to be able to catch one of the rehearsals for the choral service," said Tevelde. "The sound of the 60-member combined choir is one that is absolutely breathtaking; it is almost as if the music is speaking to one’s heart.”
“Being the recipient of the proceeds from this event will assist us in ensuring that we are able to continue to meet the growing needs of our community,” Tevelde said.
Hospice Orillia currently serves the communities of Orillia, Severn, Coldwater, a portion of OroMedonte and Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
All programs offered by Hospice Orillia are done so free of charge.
“We bring a variety of programs, from visiting volunteer support, to our Footprints Legacy Project, to our bereavement support programs, right to our client’s homes transforming their home into their hospice,” noted Tevelde.
"One of the main reasons we are able to do so is because of the support we receive from the community; not only through the volunteering of their time but also through events such as the ecumenical choral service taking place on Nov. 10," said Tevelde. "We are forever grateful for the support we receive from our community.”
The ecumenical choral service will take place on at St. Paul’s Centre. For more information on Hospice Orillia or to see how you can support community-based hospice care please call 705-325-0505 or visit www.hospiceorillia.ca.
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