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Midvale Journal

Christians United Choir Performs Easter Cantata in Midvale

May 05, 2016 01:36PM ● By Amanda Butler

By Amanda Butler | [email protected]

Midvale - On March 20, the Christians United Choir performed an Easter cantata at the Midvale North Stake Center, located at 97 West 7500 South. The performance included several people who live in Midvale and the surrounding areas, as well as many new choir members.

“The cantata is called ‘Jesus is The Christ: the Gospels in Anthem: A Sacred Cantata’ by composer Greg McDougal,” Morgan Bowerman, who conducted the performance, said. “The cantata tells the story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is told via choral, soloist and narration using almost exclusively text from the Bible.”

Allen Darrington accompanied the choir on the organ, with Karen Peterson on the piano. Brian Bowman and Ailao Patane provided narration.

“My husband and I have been producing this for the last eight years,” Jenelle Klingler said. “The composer, Greg McDougle, lives in Murray. We have performed the cantata in Midvale for the past five years. We had the privilege of Greg McDougle himself conducting it for a few years, and now are very blessed to have Morgan at the helm.”

“This is actually my first year conducting the choir,” Bowerman said. “I have lived in Midvale for about a year and a half now, and I didn’t know about the cantata last year until it was already underway.” 

The choir performance was free to the public, with a suggested donation of a can of food in lieu of admission. “We donated about 100 cans to the food bank,” Bowerman said.

“This cantata has been performed for over 25 years now, originating in Southern California,” Klingler said. “It is now performed around the country, as well as overseas.”

Klingler provided additional background information about the performance. “Locally, it has been performed in Libby Gardner Hall, with Carol Mikita narrating, as well as the Assembly Hall, Tuacahn in St. George, Cedar City and many other churches around the [Salt Lake] Valley.”

The Christians United Choir also performed a few select numbers from the cantata as part of the program at the Centenary Methodist Church on April 3. In addition, the choir performed two numbers in the Interfaith Music Festival held by the Sandy Arts guild at the St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Cottonwood Heights on April 17.

The Christians United Choir is an interfaith group whose purpose is to celebrate and testify of the life of Jesus Christ, with a desire to promote friendly relations between all religions. 

The choir always welcomes new members, regardless of experience. Any interested singers, conductors and musicians are welcome to join. Visit http://christiansunitedchoir.org for more information.