A grateful nation

Inspired, fervent words from one of America’s towering figures — Thomas Jefferson — are set to music by one of America’s towering composers — Randall Thompson — for the centerpiece of the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale’s fall concert, Nov. 13 and 14 in Coeur d’Alene, and Nov. 18 in Saint John’s Cathedral in Spokane.

Chorale Artistic Director Stan McDaniel said the theme of the concerts is “A Grateful Nation,” centered on Jefferson’s passionate calls for liberty and justice, and Thompson’s soaring hymns of praise and patriotism.

“November,” McDaniel said, “with its observances of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, gave this concert its theme.”

The 60-plus singers of the Chorale will be augmented by a brass ensemble headed by William Berry of the Spokane Symphony. Berry is nationally known for his whimsical arrangements of lively Christmas music.

For this concert, he transcribed a familiar folk tune called “Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier” and the emotional theme from “Saving Private Ryan.”

In 1943, Randall Thompson was teaching at the University of Virginia, the school founded by Jefferson.

He wrote “The Testament of Freedom” to honor Jefferson’s birth bicentennial, and took his text from some of Jefferson’s writings, from years spanning the dark, perilous days of 1774 to 1821.

Overall, McDaniel said, the concert will encompass nearly 2,000 years — from the ancient Te Deum, a hymn of praise dating from about 400 AD, to several of Thompson’s most powerful works, including “Alleluia” and “The Last Words of David.”

The Ensemble of the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale will be featured as well, under the direction of Gaynell Coppess, with another Thompson piece, some lively gospel music, and a piper complementing an arrangement of “Amazing Grace.”