Lubbock Christian University and Wayland Baptist University have joined choirs to perform Franz Joseph Haydn’s Nelson Mass, a four part chorus, four part soloist, and orchestra, on Friday, April 4, in the McDonald Moody Auditorium at 7:30 pm. LCU’s Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Philip Camp will conduct the performance alongside Wayland’s Director of Choral Studies and Church Music, Dr. Hyung Chae. “Hearing this major choral work performed live with orchestra, 120 voices, and chorus, is always an overwhelmingly beautiful experience,” explains Dr. Camp “The Nelson Mass of Haydn is an amazingly expressive work, and hearing this text set in such a musically expressive and meaningful way will bless anyone who attends.” The choirs have been rehearsing separately on the music throughout the semester as directors Camp and Chae corresponded to discuss details. According to Dr. Camp, LCU and Wayland’s similarities and geographic proximity made combining choirs a natural fit. “Some of the world’s finest choral music was composed for performance with orchestra,” says Dr. Camp. “By combining our resources, not only are we able to achieve this performance by hiring an orchestra, but also to produce a tremendous evening of choral exchange in the first half of the concert as each of our choirs will perform individually.” LCU and Wayland have combined choirs since 2008 to perform major choral works with orchestra including Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, K.339, Mark Hayes ‘Te Deum, and the Coronation Anthems of George Frideric Handel. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and in part through a grant from the City of Lubbock as recommended by Civic Lubbock, Inc. View this <link https: www.youtube.com external-link-new-window external link in new>YouTube clip from the 2012 performance and enjoy the free concert on Friday, April 4.