From Renaissance motets to Pinocchio, Brandenburg Concert celebrates 36 seasons
Founded by Kurt Brandenburg and Verna Troyer, the ensemble started with a focus on early sacred and secular choral music from the Renaissance era. Over time, the group expanded its repertoire to include works from nearly every musical period.
“We began to feature music from basically all periods, literally from medieval to modern,” Brandenburg told Watershed Voice.
That wide-ranging history is central to this year’s program. Brandenburg Concert will present “Our Story” at 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers.
A Three Rivers vocal ensemble that began with Renaissance a cappella music will celebrate more than three decades of community performances this weekend with a concert spanning centuries of song.
Brandenburg Concert will present “Our Story” at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers. The free performance marks the opening of the group’s 36th season and reflects on its musical journey since forming in 1991. A goodwill offering will benefit the Three Rivers Food Site.
Founded by Kurt Brandenburg and Verna Troyer, the ensemble started with a focus on early sacred and secular choral music from the Renaissance era. Over time, the group expanded its repertoire to include works from nearly every musical period.
“We began to feature music from basically all periods, literally from medieval to modern,” Brandenburg told Watershed Voice.
That wide-ranging history is central to this year’s program.
Audience members can expect Renaissance selections by Hans Leo Hassler, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Thomas Morley, alongside later works such as “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Disney’s Pinocchio, “P.S. I Love You,” and “All the Things You Are.”
Several pieces were written or arranged by Brandenburg himself after Troyer, a founding member and the group’s director, asked him to help shape the retrospective concert. According to program notes, roughly half of Sunday’s performance includes his original compositions or arrangements.
Brandenburg said the group has relied largely on word of mouth over the years to find singers and has maintained a relatively small but steady membership. This season’s ensemble includes about 16 singers.
“I’m 86. I’m the grandfather of all of them,” he said. “But even so, we’re always looking for new singers and trying to interest young people too.”
Though membership has changed over time, Brandenburg said the mission has remained the same: sharing music with the community that has supported the group for decades.
“We’re grateful for all the people who have turned out for us over the years,” he said. “We consider our performances an expression of our gratitude to them.”
He said this year’s concert also carries a broader hope.
“We’re very much aware of the sad state of our country and of the planet and of the people of the world and we really do want to spread hope and love where we can,” Brandenburg said.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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