Joint choir remembers the cross

Many clocks will spring an hour forward this Sunday, but two church choirs plan to spend the morning looking back at a historic event of biblical proportions.

Two weeks remain until Easter, which celebrates the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, so a group of volunteer singers have joined together to detail musically the crucifixion that led to the tomb - two choirs united for two performances at two Odessa churches.

Choir directors Randy Talley of First United Methodist Church and Shawn Bell of First Christian Church have combined their choirs to perform "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by French composer Theodore Dubois.

The joint choir of 50 people will sing during the traditional worship service at each church on Sunday - 9 a.m. at First Methodist and 10:50 a.m. at First Christian.

Tammy Stallcup, First Methodist choir member and soprano soloist, said "The Seven Last Words of Christ" takes a
very real, harsh look at the crucifixion experience. The music, while challenging for a church choir, adds to the emotional element of the suffering.

 "It really looks at the pain and the tragedy," she said. "It's very powerful music."

While an orchestra provides accompaniment, various soloists sing the part of Jesus throughout the musical cantata, and the choir takes on different roles through the account.

"At times they mourn with Jesus. Other times they're the mad crowd yelling at him on the cross. And, ultimately, they come to adoration at the end," Talley said. "It's a little like (Handel's) ‘Messiah' in that it's a work that can be done often."

Because the directors are good friends and the two churches are in close proximity, Talley said the joint venture is an example to the community of unity despite minor differences.

"The fellowship is fun, and we enjoy getting to know the people from another church," he said. "It gives us strength in perceptions, and it makes for a better experience musically because there are more voices."

Following the liturgical calendar, the performance will fall on the fifth Sunday of the Lenten season - a season for contemplation. Stallcup said some churches overlook the importance of the cross by magnifying the empty tomb, but she's glad First Methodist and First Christian are focusing on both events.

"A lot of times people get really excited about Easter, and they skip the crucifixion part," she said. "If you skip the suffering part, the resurrection part isn't as valuable, I think."

Bell agreed that the seven movements of the cantata are demanding vocally and benefit from the larger group. David Corman, director of vocal studies at Odessa College, will sing the baritone solos throughout the performance as Bell and Talley trade-off directing and singing the tenor parts.

"The size of the work is of greater magnitude than either choir could do on its own," Bell said. "We love fellowshipping and singing with the folks from First Methodist - we seem to mesh really well." Tenor and First Christian member Steve Barron said he has enjoyed rehearsals with another choir and getting to mingle with Christian friends from a block down the street.

Under the combined leadership of Talley and Bell, "The Seven Last Words of Christ" will be very moving, Barron said.

"It's a powerful musical interpretation of Christ's last words," he said.