Wed. May 8, 2024
“Followers of the lamb,” arr. kevin siegfried
Shaker harmony preview
This past Sunday, May 5, those attending our Rite II Service of Holy Eucharist were treated to a special performance by the Parish and Cherub Choirs of St. John's: Kevin Siegfried's arrangement of the Shaker tune "Followers of the lamb."
As we continue our lead-up to the next presentation of Concerts On The Hill, Shaker Harmony: Celebrating 250 Years of the Shakers in America, we are proud to highlight that this concert will put on display all four of St. John's choirs: The Parish Choir, the Chamber Choir, The Choir School at St. John's, and the Cherub Choir. All of our choral ensembles are hard at work putting the finishing touches on what promises to be a beautiful, exciting, and engaging journey through a wide range of songs from the Shaker music library, carefully and lovingly selected by Kevin Siegfried, Jennifer M. Mulhern, and Olin Johannessen.
With over 10,000 songs in existence, Shaker music is the largest body of spiritual folk music in American history. The widely known song “Simple Gifts,” popularized by Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, represents only the tip of the iceberg of a tradition that encompasses thousands of songs, hymns, anthems, and dance tunes. Whether lively and joyful, or moving and deeply felt, Shaker songs boast irresistible melodies and feature texts that speak to universal themes of love, simplicity, and community. Shaker music communicates with a unique directness that reaches beyond time and place. Siegfried’s choral arrangements vividly bring the music to life for modern ears, while maintaining the integrity of the original Shaker melodies. The year 2024 marks the 250th anniversary of the Shakers’ arrival in America, providing a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their enduring legacy.
Click here to read more about the concert and learn more about the Shakers enduring legacy, their vision for the future, and to purchase tickets in advance.