MOUNT PLEASANT — Christ Our King Church will host “Requiem Aeternam,” an All Souls memorial service, at 3 p.m. Nov. 19. The churchis located at 1122 Russell Drive.
The adult choir will sing movements from the Fauré, Duruflé, Webber and Rutter requiems. Following the tradition of remembering the dead in the month of November, the service will honor Christ Our King parishioners who have died since All Souls Day of 2005 and all the beloved dead. The names of the deceased will be read aloud and special prayers and readings will also be included.
William Becknell, director of music ministries at Christ Our King, will be the organist and Lisa Hellstrom, assistant choir director, will conduct.
Requiem selections will include the “Kyrie” by Maurice Duruflé, “Offertory” by Gabriel Fauré, “Pie Jesu” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Sanctus” and “Agnus Dei” by John Rutter, “Lux Aeterna” by Duruflé, and “Libera Me” by Fauré.
Those works will be preceded by the “Requiem Aeternam” and followed by the “In Paradisum,” Latin chants from the ancient Mass for the Dead. English works include the lively traditional work, “Saints Bound for Heaven,” arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, and a poetic song about love, “Sing Me to Heaven,” by Daniel E. Gawthrop.
A small ensemble of women will also sing the two-voice “Pie Jesu” and a small ensemble of men will sing the solo parts of the “Offertory.”
The four featured Requiems span many decades. Fauré composed the first version of his “Requiem” in 1888 and completed the expanded version, the present version, in 1893. Duruflé completed his “Requiem” in 1947 and John Rutter premiered his “Requiem” in 1985. The choirs of Christ Our King and Grace Episcopal Church in Charleston presented the Lowcountry premiere of the Rutter “Requiem” shortly thereafter at Grace Church. John Rutter edited the Fauré “Requiem” score which the Christ Our King choir will use for the Memorial Service. Andrew Lloyd Webber presented his “Requiem” in 1985.
The concert is free but a collection will be taken for East Cooper Community Outreach, an ecumenical outreach center.
The establishment of ECCO was spearheaded by Christ Our King following Hurricane Hugo in 1989. ECCO’s services include providing food, clothing, financial help with utility bills and rent, a free dental clinic, a free medical clinic in association with the Medical University of South Carolina, pharmaceutical assistance, immigration and refugee services, and referrals to other affiliated services.
Although ECCO primarily serves the East Cooper area, Trident United Way designated the center as an outreach facility for people affected by Hurricane Katrina. ECCO has been especially helpful in providing furniture for families who were displaced by the hurricane.
Submitted by Joanne Comar.