Youngstown songwriter's oratorio will premiere with large choir

March 26, 2009 at 12:04a.m.

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

Vindicator Entertainment Writer

A choir of 100 voices will sing the premiere of “Forgiven,” a contemporary gospel oratorio written by Youngstown songwriter Darren Thomas.

The two-hour performance, which will be Saturday at Powers Auditorium, will bring to fruition a vision that Thomas has been working on for 14 years.

“We did a rough draft in 1997, and have been perfecting it ever since,” he said. Thomas is assisted by Alton Merrell, musical director, and Jack Ciarnello, orchestrator, in the project.

A core group of singers from the Youngstown area will be joined by others from outside the region that Thomas has worked with before. In addition to the 100 vocalists, a 20-member ensemble — with strings and brass — will provide music.

After Saturday’s premiere, Thomas will put together a tour in order to present his oratorio in churches in other cities. Local talent in each city will join his core group for the performances. “It gives each community an investment in the program,” said Thomas.

An oratorio, Thomas explained, is a lengthy musical work that is scriptural in nature. “It’s a cousin of opera, but it doesn’t use scenery and drama,” he said. One of the most famous oratorios is Handel’s “Messiah.”

Thomas wrote the music for “Forgiven,” as well as the lyrics, which are a hybrid of all of the gospels.

An accomplished songwriter, Thomas earned an ASCAP Award for his song “Lift Up Holy Hands,” which aired on all television networks during both inaugurations of President Clinton. The song was also chosen by the Christian Embassy in Israel as the National Song at the Feast of Tabernacles held in Jerusalem, and was performed by the All Nations Choir.

Thomas is minister of worship at Calvary Ministries on Oak Hill Avenue, where Bishop Norman L. Wagner is pastor.

He travels throughout the United States and Europe, presenting workshops and lectures on Levitical worship to church administrators.

Thomas was the principal writer for the Mount Calvary Concert Choir’s CD, “Excellent,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Music Charts (contemporary gospel music category) and received a Stellar Award nomination.

He is owner and operator of The Vocal Suite, a performance/vocal coaching clinic for choirs. Thomas has written two books for the worship community: “When Zion Sings!” and “Worshippers At War: The 4 Defenses of A Worshipper.” He has also written a second oratorio, “Rapture,” which has yet to premiere.

if you go

What: “Forgiven,” an oratorio

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Powers Auditorium, Youngstown

Tickets: $12, $15 and $25 in advance ($15, $20 and $35 at the door); go to darrenthomas.net