Adirondack region hosting Sesquicentennial gala

Liturgical composer Jeffrey Halstead has met his deadline.

He has just finished composing "I Have Known the Lord," the original song to be performed by the combined choirs of the Adirondack Region as their "grand finale" at their May 18 Sesquicentennial celebration, but he isn't worried. In fact, he's downright upbeat.

There is, he notes, nothing like the pressure of a looming deadline to ignite the creative sparks within. When he finally sat down at the keyboard, melodies and lyrics came together quickly -- especially when the guidance of the Holy Spirit was sought.

The finished song talks about how the Lord comes into the lives of His people and touches them in various ways.

Love song

"Essentially," said Mr. Halstead, music director at the Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs, "the song takes the words of Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection of Jesus and brings them into our time and experiences. One verse, for example, says, `I have seen the Lord; I have felt the Lord in summer breezes.' In many ways, the composition is in the style of a love song." The composer promised that the song is also "very easy to perform, since there will be very little rehearsal time! The choirs won't likely be assembled under one roof until the day of the celebration. In that sense, the performance will be somewhat spontaneous."

Spontaneity

"Every year, the choirs from Corpus Christi in Ushers and St. John the Baptist in Schenectady join us at St. Peter's for what we call our Master Jam Concert," he said. "We have one rehearsal and then we do it. What's happening on May 18 is going to be that [same experience] times a lot because there will be so many more voices and instruments involved."

The sounds of music that afternoon will run the gamut from Christian coffeehouse style to full-blown arias. Instrumental accompaniment will range from keyboard to guitars, flutes, drums -- perhaps even hand-bells and a mandolin! Prior to the finale featuring the combined Adirondack choirs, each group will have an opportunity to perform individually. In addition, the event will feature exhibits representing parishes of the region.

Displays

For example, St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa will have two tables featuring displays of history and parish life. Also on view will be an enormous commemorative quilt stitched in honor of the parish's 100th anniversary last year.

Holy Cross in Salem will offer a Parish Family Tree designed and assembled by parishioner Rosemary Boyd. The tree roots represent the congregation being "rooted in Jesus"; the trunk features photos of the Pope, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and the pastor; and the limbs feature multi-colored leaves symbolizing various parish ministries.

Mrs. Boyd believes the tree is an accurate reflection of Holy Cross because it is "a very neighborly, friendly parish" where parishioners "work hard together" to achieve common goals.

(The Adirondack Regional Sesquicentennial event will take place on May 18, noon-5 p.m., at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Admission is free. All are welcome.)

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