By JOHN R. STANARD
Musicians from the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) and Three Rivers College (TRC) will present "Requiem for the Living," a contemporary work in Latin by acclaimed composer Dan Forrest, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, in the sanctuary of the church at 500 N. Main St.
Directed by Cindy White, TRC music instructor and member of the FUMC music ministry staff, the 53-voice choir will be accompanied by a seven-piece orchestra and well-known organist Ray Smithee, a former Poplar Bluff resident.
Vocal soloists will be soprano Suzy Cowan, mezzo-soprano Cheyene Wood and tenor Mathew Pickard. Orchestra members will include William White, percussion; Ruth Garner, horn; Jocelyn Garner, oboe; Jenna Whitworth, flute; Chaddie Freuwald, harp; Andrew Bailey, violin; and Abigail Sage, cello.
For the past 13 years Smithee has been director of music and organist for the First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, Miss. He previously served as an associate pastor and organist at the Kirkwood Baptist Church and as minister of music and finance at Overland Baptist Church, both in St. Louis County. While still living in Poplar Bluff he served as organist at the First Baptist and First Christian churches.
Smithee's music degrees include a bachelor's degree in organ performance from the University of Missouri--St. Louis and a master's degree with an emphasis in music ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He also earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's in business administration from Arkansas State University and is a certified church business administrator in addition to his music career.
The organist is a member of the American Guild of Organists and has been active in the Oxford--University of Mississippi chapter of the guild.
Smithee and his wife, Allison, have one daughter, Marielle, who is a chemistry major at Mississippi College.
Forrest's "Requiem," (a prayer for rest), is somewhat unique in that it is aimed at the living as well as the deceased. The composer describes the fifth and last movement of the work, Lux Aeterna, as "simply an arrival at rest and peace, not just in the realization of the 'eternal light' that God offers those who seek him, but even here and now, for us, the living, on earth - our Requiem, our Rest, is found in Christ."
"Requiem for the Living" was written over a period of 16 months and quickly became Forrest's best-known work, having received overwhelming acclaim since its 2013 premiere. It continues to be performed around the world. His latest major work, "Jubilate Deo," (2016) is now receiving similar critical accolades.
Forrest, whose compositions have been published by more than a dozen publishers, holds a doctoral degree in composition from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in piano performance. He has served as a university music professor and department head and his commissioned choral compositions have been premiered around the world, ranging from the World Choral Symposium in Argentina to Izumi Hall in Osaka, Japan, to Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and at several conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. His music also has been featured many times on the American Public Radio's program "Performance Today."
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the Saturday evening performance, said the Rev. David Stewart, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church. Ample off-street parking is available and admission is free.
"Our 'Requiem' program will afford Poplar Bluff area music patrons an opportunity to hear a live performance of one of the truly outstanding pieces of contemporary sacred music," according to conductor Cindy White. Mrs. White and her husband, William, both long-time music instructors at Three Rivers College, are recognized as leading one of Missouri's outstanding community college music programs. In partnership with Central Methodist University, TRC offers an on-campus, four-year degree in music education.