The sounds of classical music will fill the sacristy of First Presbyterian Church Sunday as the Vicksburg Chamber Choir performs Durufle’s Requiem at 3 p.m.

The Chamber Choir is a non-profit organization that performs two concerts annually for the community.

“Usually, we try to do a major work in the spring,” said choir director Sharon Penley. “We do traditional Christmas music in the fall, and so we try to do something that’s more of a classic in the spring. Most of the things that are written for choir are going to be oratorios or masses or requiems.”

The reason she selected Durufle, she said, is because it is particularly suited to a small group, and it was originally written for pipe organ.

“And the pipe organ at First Presbyterian Church is one of the finest in Mississippi, and there’s a fine player there.

“So having the resource of that fine pipe organ and a small chamber ensemble, the Durufle was a perfect work for our group, and it’s not performed a lot,” Penley said. “It’s a beautiful piece of music, it was written in 1947, so it’s contemporary harmony, (and a) sophisticated piece.”
She took a poll of the choir, she said, “I only had two singers in the group who had ever sung it before. I thought this was a work they should have the opportunity to sing just once in their life.”

Besides the choir and organ, Penley said a string ensemble from the Jackson Symphony and a trumpeter from Vicksburg will perform with the choir.

“It’s (the piece) is actually written for organ and small string ensembles,” she said.

There is no admission to the performance, but donations will be accepted.