Greenville – On Oct. 25, the Greenville Chorale will open its 2026‑27 season with a special concert at First Baptist Greenville, bringing together almost 200 voices from the Chorale and two Upstate high school choirs. The event, titled “In Time of Silver Rain,” showcases a brand‑new 25‑minute work by composer Elaine Hagenberg called “Illuminare,” as well as classic choral pieces that celebrate hope, discovery and the bonds between generations.
New music and a focus on education
“Illuminare” moves from exuberant celebration to quiet reflection before ending on a hopeful note, according to artistic director and conductor Anthony Bernarducci. The piece weaves Latin and English texts with the Greek “Kyrie,” exploring themes of light, darkness, love and hope through lush harmonies and orchestral writing. Bernarducci described the work as “very uplifting,” noting its five movements offer both energetic and introspective passages.
The concert also highlights the Chorale’s new “Choral Bridge” outreach program, which invites local high school choirs onto the same stage. Eastside High School’s varsity choir and Spartanburg High School’s Viking Choir will each perform a selection of their own repertoire before joining the Chorale for the final two numbers. The combined ensemble will total roughly 200 singers, including about 120 regular Chorale members.
Program highlights
In addition to “Illuminare,” the program features beloved works such as Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living” from his opera *The Tender Land*, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ setting of “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing,” and a contemporary setting of “Ubi Caritas” by Michael John Trotta. The evening will close with Bernarducci’s own setting of “Veni Creator Spiritus” and Sarah Quartel’s “In Time of Silver Rain,” a piece inspired by a poem from Langston Hughes.
Community access and learning opportunities
To make the concert family‑friendly, children and students can attend for $5, and activity packets will be available for young attendees. Bernarducci will also lead master classes for the high school choirs, while members of the Chorale’s chamber ensemble will present workshops on vocal technique, reinforcing the program’s threefold mission: connect, cultivate and educate the community through music.
Tickets for adults are $40, and additional information can be found on the Greenville Chorale’s website. The concert promises a day of shared musical experience that strengthens ties between the church, local schools and the broader Greenville community.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
