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Blair Concert Chorale to present spring concert

The sweet sounds of the majestic pipe organ and the voices of the Blair Concert Chorale will fuse together at the chorus’ upcoming “Pipe Dreams” concert at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona.

Set in the backdrop of the ornate church’s sanctuary, the more than 50 performers from Blair, Bedford and Cambria counties will sing alongside the night’s special guest, Nicholas J. Will.

He will perform solos and, together with the chorale, will perform special arrangements, including “Amazing Grace,” “Hosanna to the Son of David,” “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me,” “Jubilate Deo,” “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing,” “Magnificat” and “Pie Jesu.”

Will, formerly from Martinsburg, is an assistant professor of music at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He has appeared as soloist with the Duquesne Symphony, Altoona Symphony and Pittsburgh Civic orchestras.

His talent has taken him around the world. He’s performed at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the American Cathedral in Paris, the Westerkerk in Amsterdam, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Dr. Ryan Beeken, artistic director for the BCC, is thrilled to have an artist of such caliber performing with the chorale for the spring show. “He’s top notch, one of the best there is for sure. The whole idea to have a wonderful organ paired with an accomplished organist started as a pipe dream; so the name of the event ‘Pipe Dreams” is a play on words,” said Beeken.

Will, who previously was an organist at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, is excited to return to his local roots.

“This [the Mount Carmel] organ is the one I took lessons on for four years as a high school student. The sounds of that organ in that glorious space are really what inspired me to become a professional organist. This is the first time I’ll actually be giving a performance there, so it’s an honor to come back to the place where it all began for me,” he said.

The BCC is equally thrilled to put on the concert with Will. Beeken said, “The singers are very excited, we’re getting a lot of positive energy from them. It’s a repertoire that the singers don’t often get to experience.”

Will, who often performs solo, is looking forward to the concert with the BCC.

“As much as I love performing solo concerts, I’m really happiest as a collaborative performer, particularly as a choral accompanist. It requires a different skill set than performing solo repertoire. I have to listen carefully to the choir and adapt my playing sensitively to what the choir and director are doing. It’s very satisfying, especially with a great group like the BCC,” he said.

In April 2016, Will released his debut recording, “Laudato Si: In the Spirit of St. Francis of Assisi,” a collaborative effort with singers Andrey Nemzer and Charlene Canty and composer Eli Tamar. The recording was released to critical acclaim. Attendees of the upcoming BCC show should also expect a night rooted in a grand performance.

Beeken said, “Mount Carmel is a beautiful space filled with artwork. Concertgoers will hear grandiose and glorious sounds from the organ and choir. The music will echo and reverberate throughout that great space. It’s a celebration of our ability to come together as a diverse group of people to create great art.”

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If you go

What: Blair Concert Chorale’s “Pipe Dreams”

When: 7:30 p.m. April 1

Where: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 806 11th St., Altoona

Admission: $15 for adults and $8 for students

Tickets and more information: Tickets for the concert are also available at www. BCCpipedreams.eventbrite.com, at Thompson Pharmacies (Chestnut Avenue and Hollidaysburg) and at the door.

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