Submitted

St. Joseph Church, 215 W. 13th, will be the scene for the Hays Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Vespers Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2nd.

At 7 p.m., there will be an introductory talk on the symbology of religion in art by FHSU Art and Design Instructor Erica Bittel and FHSU Music and Theater Department Chair Ben Cline. The concert, featuring the orchestra’s string section, promises to be an unforgettable evening that combines the serene beauty and acoustic resonance of the church with “introspective, lyrical and spiritual music of the 20th century.”

“Elegy for Strings” by Elliott Carter, followed by Ennio Morricone’s heartrendingly beautiful “Gabriel’s Oboe,” with Kay Werth, oboe, will transport the audience into a world of joy and peace.

Kristin Pisano, clarinet, continues the thoughtful mood with the first movement (only) of Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto,” originally commissioned by Benny Goodman.

John Tavener’s “Protecting Veil,” with Benjamin Cline, cello, will end the concert. The piece celebrates the feast of the Intercession of Mary, an important holy day in the Russian Orthodox Church. The “veil” conveys the image of Mary spreading out her robe to protect us all.

Tavener said of his piece, “I have tried to capture some of the almost cosmic power of the Mother of God. The cello represents (her) and never stops singing throughout. One can think of the strings as a gigantic extension of her unending song.”

While all ages are always welcome at Hays Symphony concerts, younger audience members may find the length (45 minutes) and slow, meditative nature of “Protecting Veil” challenging.

The concert is free, but tickets will be available at the door 30 minutes before the concert or in advance at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, ticket vouchers may be requested by contacting [email protected].

Post-concert refreshments are sponsored by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.