MBU Fall Festival Highlights – Dan Forrest Requiem for the Living
“Come unto me all ye who labor. Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden. Come unto me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28; as set in Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living
This fall, the combined Madrigal Choir and Chamber Singers, with several alumni, under the direction of Dr. Doug Bachorik, set out to tackle a tremendous challenge – internationally acclaimed composer Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living. The five movements of this masterwork take the listener on a powerful, emotional journey from the depths of a cry for mercy to the heights of the glory of Christ the Savior.
Listeners filled the auditorium with energetic excitement and anticipation of what was to come. After opening remarks from Pastor Bob Loggans, the room was hushed and the narration came to life as four Maranatha students set the stage, painting Christ’s atoning work on the cross against the canvas of man’s sinful, destitute nature. This narration seamlessly transitioned into Forrest’s first movement as cries of Kyrie eleison rang throughout the building – Lord, have mercy! Tension rose and momentum built as the text turned to shouts of Vanitas, vanitatum! All is vanity! Frozen to their seats, the audience awaited the third movement as silence dominated the room.
Then, as if the vanity, turmoil, and tension had melted away, three notes from the harp melted the silence with clarity and gentleness. As the melody developed, the stage welcomed a boy, Alex Goodwill, to present the central message in song. Agnus Dei. Lamb of God… This third movement pled for mercy, not out of turmoil and pain, nor out of confusion, but from a position of hope and confidence in the only One who could truly extend mercy. The themes developed and swelled as student Elisabeth Lazzell joined the stage and soared above the choir in the piece’s final notes. Qui tollis peccata mundi. …Who takes away the sins of the world.
Additional narration gave way to a change of scene as the choir joined together in singing Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus. Holy, Holy, Holy. With masterful creativity, the composer sounded the heavens and earth filled with God’s glory. Beginning with ethereal melodies in the heavens and extending to driven momentum on earth, the fourth movement came alive with rousing energy until all heaven and earth burst forth with shouts of Hosanna in excelsis!
Young Alex Goodwill returned to the stage, accompanied by MBU students Hunter Weakley and Cienna Kerr. Goodwill’s voice floated above the choirs to introduce the theme, followed by each choir member circling in unison until Weakley stepped forward to present the only English words of the entire work: “Come unto me all ye who labor… who are heavy laden… and I will give you rest.” The word rest was met with its Italian counterpart from the lips of Cienna Kerr as they brought the finale to its end. Requiem aeternam. Eternal rest. The beautiful work was completed, each attending member made thoroughly aware of the perfect rest found only in Christ Jesus the Savior.
Many in attendance commented on the grand demonstration saying the concert “lifted spirits Heavenward, delighting in the glory of the Salvation that is so freely ours.” (Dr. and Mrs. Marty Marriott). Listeners were “transported to the gates of Heaven [for] a peek inside of what awaits us in eternity” (Jeff Pill). For months, those involved had prayed for a special presentation and that God would smile upon the performance with his grace. Praise to the Lord for his wonderful blessings to Maranatha, providing His great strength for today, and His bright hope for tomorrow!
Author: Joseph Greene
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