Tabor College Music

The premiere performance of “Sun, Moon and Stars,” a cantata for mixed choir, baritone solo, and orchestra written especially for the 100th Anniversary of Tabor College by composer and pianist Dr. Larry Warkentin of Fresno, Calif., was the highlight the Tabor College Centennial Spring Concert, held Sunday, May 10.

Warkentin, Professor Emeritus at Fresno Pacific University, is a distinguished alumnus of Tabor College, who has composed numerous works which have been performed by the Fresno Philharmonic, The Tulare (Calif.) Symphony, the Festival Quartet of Canada, and many choirs in North America and Europe.

The premiere of “Sun, Moon and Stars” encompassed seven sections and was performed by the Tabor College Oratorio Chorus and the Tabor College Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Bradley Vogel, Professor of Choral Music. The piece included a baritone solo sung by Justin Moore, a junior from Hillsboro, Kan., and concluded with the combined choir, orchestra, and audience singing Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Warkentin, who was born in 1940 in Reedley, Calif., arrived at Tabor in 1958, where the young pianist was chosen to accompany the Tabor Choir under the direction of musical giants Herbert Richert and Paul Wohlgemuth.

“The musical idea for the composition comes from my experience as accompanist for the Tabor Male Octet during the years that Richert was music director,” Warkentin said.

In addition to the new cantata, the Centennial Concert included a performance by the Tabor College Symphonic Band, conducted by Dr. Richard Cantwell, Professor of Instrumental Music and Chair of the Music Department. The Tabor College Concert Choir, conducted by Dr.Vogel, also performed.

Dr. Shiela Litke, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, performed Piano Concerto in E Major, Op. 59 by Moritz Moszkowski, accompanied by the Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Cantwell.

For more photos of the Centennial Spring Concert, Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/taborcollege/sets/72157617910586617/