In his final full season as artistic director and conductor of the Greenville Chorale, Bing Vick is choosing only bucket-list choral works — his favorites.
Among them is British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Hodie,” which the 150-voice chorale will perform on Nov. 2 in collaboration with the Greenville Symphony at the Peace Center.
The Christmas-themed work tells the story of the birth of Jesus through Biblical narrative and poems by John Milton, Thomas Hardy and George Herbert, among others.
It’s a piece that Vick has long wanted to conduct, though it never quite fit on the chorale’s lighter Christmas programs.
“I have always loved this exciting work,” Vick said. “This performance will be very exciting for the audience, as the drama of the Christmas story is expressed with delicacy and great power by the combined forces of the Chorale, soloists, children, and orchestra.”
The work, requiring a large orchestra, alternates powerful music of choral majesty with episodes of lyrical narrative sung by a children’s choir, in this case the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir, directed by David Rasbach.
Vick will retire as the Greenville Chorale’s artistic director following the ensemble’s fall 2025 concert. A nationwide search is underway for his successor.
Power of music
Now in his 44th season leading the chorale, Vick has long believed that music such as “Hodie” can heal a fractious society. “Hodie” is short for “Hodie Christus Natus Est” or “Today Christ is Born.”
“Especially in today’s world, with rampant divisiveness, the message of hope and joy will be fully expressed in this music by Vaughan Williams,” Vick said.
Three other, shorter works conclude the concert including Brahms’ “Nanie,” a lament for the dead. Vick will also lead Bach’s “Dona nobis pacem,” the final chorus from the German composer’s Mass in B Minor.
“In times like we are facing today, and with so many forces pulling us in diverse directions, the prayer and plea to God to ‘give us peace’ is especially meaningful,” Vick said.
The concert also features “St. Patrick’s Hymn,” by Dan Forrest, a Greenville-based composer with an international following. The piece was commissioned by the chorale and first performed by the ensemble to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010.
Other works for the chorale’s 2024-25 season reflect Vick’s favorites as well, including a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 14 at Furman’s McAlister Auditorium.
Want to go?
What: Greenville Chorale: “An Early Christmas Celebration”
When: Nov. 2, 8 p.m.
Where: Peace Center
Tickets: $50; $25 students
Info: 864-467-3000 or peacecenter.org
