Mahoning Valley Chorale sets Halloween concert

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley Chorale’s Halloween concert will be a blend of classical, Broadway, movie and pop music to appeal to a wide range of ages.

The family-friendly musical event will take place on Halloween at St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., and is in its second year. To get into the spirit of Halloween fun, the audience is invited to come in costume. The church, with its soaring ceiling, provides a good acoustic setting, and the Gothic stone interior contributes to the atmosphere.

The Rev. Edward Noga, pastor, said Halloween morphed from All Hallow’s Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day observed Nov. 1. “Eves of holidays like Christmas and Easter are significant and time of anticipation. It’s a time of prayer,” he said.

All Saints’ Day is no exception, as it recognizes the deeds of good people who were elevated to sainthood. “It is remembering the dead but has nothing to do with monster stuff,” Father Noga said.

All Saints’ Day is followed by All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2. “All Souls’ remembers all the dead,” Father Noga said. But, he pointed out, those who have been baptized have been sanctified and considered part of the community of saints.

Father Noga said there will be a Mass at the church at 7 p.m. Nov. 2, and the names of those from the parish who have died will be read. “It’s a time to remember them,” he said, adding the service also uses vigil lights, and bells are chimed.

Kris Harper, chorale director, said the chorale wanted to do a Halloween concert as a means to reach out to a younger crowd. “We usually attract an older audience. This is a way for children to become acquainted with the chorale and its music,” he said.

The “customized content” of the concert titled “Night Noises” will introduce classical selections such as “Funeral March” by Chopin and “Toccato in D Minor” by Bach.

“All I Ask of You” from the “Phantom of the Opera” and “This is the Moment” from “Jekyl and Hyde” will offer a taste of Broadway for the audience.

Harper said he’s sure many in the audience will be familiar with “A Thousand Years” from “Twilight,” the series on vampires, and “This is Halloween” from the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

After a brief intermission, children will be invited for a sing-along with Halloween standbys such as “Spooky,” “Purple People Eater” and “Monster Mash.” He said children’s voices will add an extra punch to “Ghostbusters.”

Sierra McCorvey, a vocal music performance major at Youngstown State University, is the soloist. Dominic DeLaurentis, YSU music education major, is the accompanist.