St. David's Concert set for March 3

Special to The Gazette

Welsh music will fill the air as the St. David’s Chorus brings it to life at the 131st St. David’s Concert at 2:30 p.m. March 3.

The free event, which will be held at the Presbyterian Church West Campus at 1702 W. 15th Ave., is sponsored by the St. David’s Society of the State of Kansas.

The St. David’s Society welcomes back Eluned Jones to direct the concert for the sixth year. Born and raised in Wales to a musical family, Jones injects Welsh spirit from her homeland into the conducting of the Welsh hymns. Directing the concert and lending her beautiful voice to song allows Jones to reconnect with her Welsh roots. She is Professor and Head of Economics at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota.

Honoring our country and the country of our Welsh Ancestry, the concert will open with the singing of our national anthems. The invocation and benediction will be given by the Rev. Gary Gooszen and the Rev. Phyllis Stutzman, respectively. St. David’s Society President Brian Rees will give opening remarks and introductions.

The St. David’s Chorus will open the concert with the nostalgic “We’ll Keep a Welcome.” Many towns are represented in the St. David’s Choir including Emporia, Hartford, Reading, Lebo, Arvonia and Kansas City. Joining the St. David’s Chorus again this year are members of ESU choirs led by Robert Ward.

The chorus sets will include the jubilant “Sanctus,” the soulful, harmonious “Pen Park,” the melodic “Gwahoddiad,” and “Crimond,” “(The Lord’s My Shepherd”). Accompanists for the concert are Mary Melhorn, organist and Travis Carmichael, pianist. The concert will close as all join together to sing “God Be With You.”

Everyone is invited to a reception of bara brith and tea in the Fellowship Hall following the concert.

St. David’s Society Officers for 2019-2020 are: President Sally Conard, Vice President Jann Briggs, Secretary Deb Childears and Treasurer Rhonda Gordon.