The IBCS Chamber Singers will present a musical statement of faith on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Tri-City Baptist Church (TBC) lobby. The program will include the Nicaean Creed set to music by the Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741). “I had some theology professors look over the text and translation,” says Pastor Dave Stertzbach, conductor of the Chamber Singers. “I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing or some historical issue that would cause raised eyebrows. For my audience, this is most important.”
Of the work, Pastor Stertzbach also says, “The entire piece is only 11 or 12 minutes long. And musically, it is not as ostentatious as is typical of the Baroque era. And because it is a creed, there are a lot of words to fit in. But Vivaldi still manages to create huge contrasts in the four short movements.” The work begins with signature Vivaldi—fiery and tempestuous. Then a gorgeous hymn followed by a meditation on the crucifixion. It all ends in a blaze of glory, celebrating the resurrected Lord.
The 28-member ensemble will be singing two Renaissance pieces by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) in honor of his 500th birthday. Palestrina was one of the most highly acclaimed musicians of the sixteenth century and wrote a tremendous number of musical works. But Palestrina's greatest influence on music history was the so-called “Palestrina style” of counterpoint rather than his individual compositions. The two songs on the program are representative of Palestrina, characterized by a sense of elegance and balance, reflecting his steadfast adherence to traditional melodic and harmonic conventions. One song is a complex motet celebrating the Word becoming flesh and ending with Psalm 118: “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” The second is a simple hymn thanking Jesus for dying for our sins.
The concert will conclude with a five-song meditation on God's care for His children through the three persons of the Trinity. “I have never met the composer. But there are people in our ministry who know Marianne and her husband. I am excited to let her know that the Chamber Singers have enjoyed learning these songs. And Stephen [Ramsey, pianist] just plays them exceptionally well. I'm confident they will really resonate with our audience—musically and spiritually.” Written in 2024, TRINITY: Our God of Hope and Help by Marianne Forman depicts the tender care of God the Father, the breath of the Holy Spirit, the compassionate and triumphant sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and ends with an exuberant “Gloria,” praising the Father, Son, and Spirit, that culminates in the audience joining in the hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”
Pastor Stertzbach looks around suspiciously, then winks, “Don't tell anybody. But the TBC choir and orchestra will be presenting these same songs for our Good Friday service in April. I'm already excited to do them again!”