Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
TALLAHASSEE — An interfaith coalition of choral and orchestral musicians will present a performance of the musical, “Lamb of God” Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Chiles High School Auditorium in Tallahassee.
The collaborative effort includes participants from Abundant Life and Restoration Ministries, East Hill Baptist Church, Episcopal Church of the Advent, Faith Presbyterian, Fellowship Baptist Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Maranatha Seventh-Day Adventist Church and more. The production is being underwritten by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and John Wesley United Methodist Church.
“Lamb of God” was composed by Rob Gardner and provides a musical narrative of the final days of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of individuals who shared a close bond with him, including Peter, John, Thomas, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, and his mother Mary. The composition takes the audience on a journey from foreshadowing the raising of Lazarus to the heartrending arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, concluding with his triumphant resurrection, a symbol of hope and salvation.
Notable Participants
- Leading the cast is Grammy-winner Gabe Preisser, CEO and general director of Opera Orlando, who will portray the role of Peter.
- Michael Douty, director of bands and orchestra at Fairview Middle School and assistant conductor of the Big Bend Community Orchestra in Tallahassee, prepared the orchestra.
- Narrators include Christopher Small, director of Florida State University’s online Education Leadership/Administration program in the Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies and Tacey M. Atsitty de Gonzales, a published Navajo poet and doctoral candidate in FSU’s Creative Writing Program.
- Blair Clawson, a music teacher at Sealey Elementary School and volunteer communications director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prepared the choir and soloists.
Other notable community members include Todd Queen, dean of the School of Music at FSU, who will portray Thomas, Terice Allen, music department chair and orchestra teacher at Florida High, on solo cello–the musical voice of Christ, and Ginny Densmore (1st clarinet), co-founder of the Big Bend Community Orchestra and the Artist Series.
When Lamb of God was first recorded in 2011, the singers were accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. Gardner’s work is a testament to the enduring significance of Christ’s atonement and resurrection, aiming to resonate with audiences across many faith backgrounds. This rendition of “Lamb of God” marks the first performance in Tallahassee in nearly a decade.
The upcoming presentation promises to offer a moving and memorable experience, uniting performers and attendees in a spirit of shared reverence, according to event organizers.
Beyond its artistic merit, the event exemplifies collaboration among faith communities and other individuals, highlighting shared values and creative expression. Admission to the performance is free of charge, presented in the spirit of worship.
The community-wide interfaith production of “Lamb of God” seeks to uplift, inspire, and unify through its portrayal of a universal message of hope and redemption.
Event Details:
Date: September 10, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Chiles High School Auditorium, Tallahassee
Admission: Free of charge, presented in the spirit of worship
