Talk about a four-part harmony.

Tuesday at 7 p.m., the choirs of Crawford Street United Methodist Church, Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church, Hawkins United Methodist Church and the Vicksburg Chamber Choir will unite to perform the cantata “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” The event will take place at Crawford Street United Methodist Church.

For the first time, the choirs will join together to sing during Holy Week. Dr. Paul Ballard, music director at Gibson UMC, said he has been thinking about performing this particular cantata for several years.

“We had done a cantata jointly with Hawkins United Methodist last Christmas and, as we came into Easter, I was looking at the DuBois (the composer), but we just didn’t have enough resources,” he said.

Tommy Miller of Hawkins UMC suggested the two choirs join to perform the piece, but health issues derailed Ballard for a time.

When he began thinking about the cantata again, he found there was even more interest in a collaboration. The choir directors at both Hawkins and Crawford Street expressed interest in joining together for an Easter cantata. Ballard, Mary Kate Core, music director at Crawford St. UMC, and Mallory Pickering, music director at Hawkins UMC, all wanted to work together. Later, Christie Beasley, music director for the Vicksburg Chamber Choir, was added.

About the piece, Ballard said, “(DuBois) was French, educated in Paris and had jobs as organist and choirmaster. That was where he wrote ‘The Seven Last Words.’ It’s one of his most performed pieces. His music was in the latter half of the 19th century.”

Ballard went on to explain the work was originally published in Latin but has been translated into English.

“It’s a challenging piece,” he said. “It’s work.”

Ballard said he has performed in “The Seven Last Words of Christ” previously and was familiar with its difficulty.

“The Seven Last Words of Christ” is described as “a meditation on the Crucifixion presented through Gospel text set to music,” according to a flyer advertising the event. There are seven movements in the cantata, which reflects a somber mood.

“The main objective of this piece is to glorify God,” Core said. “He has made this possible. This is a week to contemplate His sacrifices. It’s time to show the unity of United Methodism sacred music and the wider music community.”

Pickering said practicing with just the choir members at Hawkins in the beginning made it difficult to imagine pulling off such an ambitious performance, adding, “when all the groups began to practice together, I could see the goal was in sight. It was heartening.” She said this cantata is, “likely very different from any other cantata” most people have experienced. She added, “the story we are telling, the presentation we are offering to the community is an act of worship.”

Beasley said the Vicksburg Chamber Choir was honored to be invited to participate in the collaboration.

“Many of our members also belong to the churches involved, so it felt natural for our community choir to take part in this meaningful effort,” she said. “The music selected is very much in line with what we love to sing. We embrace all genres of choral music. These pieces are especially moving and meaningful . . . We hope this experience will be a beautiful way to help prepare hearts for Easter.”

In addition to the choirs, special performers will be featured. Bob Knupp will play the organ. Knupp is an organist and faculty member of Mississippi College. Three soloists will be featured. Lindsay Kate Brown is a mezzo-soprano. Brown is a rising star in the world of opera, having performed in New York City after winning the prestigious George London Award. Brown has performed in many other notable opera productions. Soloist Stephen Spilger is part of the music faculty at Pensacola Christian College and sings tenor. Dennis Jesse is a member of the music faculty at Louisiana State University and has performed in many operas. He sings baritone.

Crawford Street United Methodist Church is located at 900 Crawford St. The public is invited to attend.