Winchester Musica Viva, a premiere semi-professional chamber choir, presents a program of fascinating choral music, unlike anything you may have ever heard. "From Darkness To Light" will feature David Lang’s 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning composition, "the little match girl passion". This minimalist piece is a retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson tale “The Little Match Girl” married to the form of a Bach passion. This 35-minute spell-binding choral work is incredibly unique in the repertoire, and full performances of it are rare. This is not to be missed!

The program also includes Benjamin Britten’s "Rejoice in the Lamb", a collaboration with organist Dr. Judith Ofcarcik, assistant professor of music theory at James Madison University, who will present an organ piece by Arvo Pärt. Winchester Musica Viva singers Douglas Byler, Nicolas Gomez-Colon, and Georgiann Toole have written compositions that will be premiered. This "Choral Triptych" further explores themes outlined in both the Britten and the Lang, from both secular and sacred sources.

Winchester Musica Viva (WMV) is in its 43rd year of presenting high-caliber choral music in the Winchester area. Musica Viva is conducted by Artistic Director, Dr. W. Bryce Hayes, associate professor of choral music at James Madison University. The singers of WMV are professional musicians, teachers, and church musicians from throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Performances of "From Darkness To Light" will be on Saturday, April 13, 2024, 7:30 PM at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, Virginia; and Sunday, April 14, 2024, 3:00 PM at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Winchester, VA. Tickets are $20 for adults and admission is free to all students. Tickets can be purchased in advance at winchestermusicaviva.org or at the door.

Winchester Musica Viva is funded in part by The Marion Park Lewis Foundation.