STERLING — From the soaring choral sounds of the 16th century to the vibrant harmonies of today, the Sterling College Choirs will lift their voices in a powerful celebration of faith and song at their winter concert, “Make a Joyful Noise: Hymns & Sacred Songs,” at 7 p.m. this Sunday, March 1 at Sterling United Methodist Church.
Spanning more than 500 years of sacred music, the program weaves together works from the 1500s to the present day. Audience members will hear music sung in three different languages and drawn from Anglican, Russian Orthodox, and modern Protestant traditions. The evening will feature a rich variety of musical textures, including a cappella selections as well as works accompanied by piano and organ. Wichita pianist Kelsey Wise will serve as accompanist.
“The heart of worship is found in song,” said Sean Foster, director of the Concert Choir. “Music gives voice to prayer in a way that speaks to both the soul and the intellect. These pieces are special because they connect us across centuries and cultures in a shared expression of faith.”
The Concert Choir, directed by Foster, will perform If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis, a Renaissance motet written in the 1500s that features flowing vocal lines and serene harmonies emblematic of the early Anglican tradition. Benjamin Britten’s Jubilate Deo offers a joyful and rhythmically vibrant contrast, brimming with energy and dynamic shifts that capture the exuberance of the Psalm text.
The choir will also present Indodana by Michael Barrett and Ralf Schmitt, a South African hymn of deep emotional resonance. Sung in Zulu, the piece builds gradually in intensity, culminating in a powerful and moving conclusion that reflects the universal longing expressed in its text. The beloved American hymn setting “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” rounds out the choir’s selections with warm, pastoral harmonies and a message of comfort and trust.
The Treble Ensemble will offer a spirited rendition of “This Little Light of Mine,” bringing brightness and rhythmic vitality to the program.
The Highland Singers, directed by Marisa Callan, will perform a diverse set of contemporary sacred works. Paul Basler’s Gloria is bold and triumphant, filled with driving rhythms and brilliant choral textures. Dan Forrest’s Vanitas Vanitatum explores the contemplative depth of Ecclesiastes with dramatic contrasts and haunting harmonies. Wade in de Water arranged by Allen Koepke infuses the spiritual with rhythmic intensity and expressive nuance, while René Clausen’s Set Me As a Seal offers a tender and lyrical meditation on love drawn from the Song of Solomon.
“These songs remind us that worship is both timeless and immediate,” said Marisa Callan. “From Renaissance motets to modern anthems, each piece invites us to reflect, rejoice, and reconnect with what matters most.”
The Sterling College Choirs concert is free of charge. If unable to attend in person, you are invited to tune in via livestream on the Sterling College Music Facebook page for an evening of inspiring sacred music that truly makes a joyful noise.
