Church hosts choir performance

‘Requiem’ to commemorate the hardship felt in the community during COVID

“It was a challenge. But when people came together, they just broke down in tears because they had been so isolated for so long and then felt trepid about coming together because you can take every precaution and still risk getting sick.” — Cheryl Anderson, choir conductor

SANTA CRUZ >> Peace United Church is hosting “Remembrance,” a performance by the Peace Chancel Choir and Cabrillo College Chorale, conducted by Cheryl Anderson and features Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” to commemorate the hardship felt in the community during COVID-19.

“We’re calling it ‘Remembrance.’ It’s an opportunity for people in the community to both grieve and celebrate life because so many people passed away at this time and weren’t able to gather for funerals or memorial services,” Anderson said. “We wanted to honor the fact that it’s been difficult. Bringing light to the reality that we’re all in this together and being thankful for the things that we learned from COVID and moving forth to a new reality.”

The event, from 3-4 p.m. Saturday at the church, 900 High St., in Santa Cruz, was originally scheduled for the spring, but was postponed due to a COVID-19 surge.

Before the pandemic, the Cabrillo College Chorale would invite other community ensembles and singers to collaborate on the performance. This year, Anderson was left to a much smaller ensemble, calling for a delicate composition, like Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem,” that could convey the complications of the pandemic while requiring only a limited amount of voices.

“The ‘Requiem’ is gentle, although there is drama in it, but in a more subtle way.” Anderson said. “I think it’s healing and comforting.”

To ensure safety, the choir was forced to practice outside, competing with busy streets, mask barriers, extreme temperatures and the discomfort of a new arrangement.

“It was a challenge,” Anderson said. “But when people came together, they just broke down in tears because they had been so isolated for so long and then felt trepid about coming together because you can take every precaution and still risk getting sick.”

After two months of practice and with the help of Anderson, the Peace Chancel Choir and Cabrillo College Chorale are prepared to share their music with the public.