Page leads a recent rehearsal. / mystical choir photo

After 33 years of service, founder and artistic director Nick Page will lead a final season of preparation for his last concert with Mystic Chorale, entitled “The Heart Dances, the Soul Sings”.

This project will be his last involvement with the Arlington-based musical group before his long-planned move to Missouri.

Rehearsals are due to start next month, with the concert in December

Organizers say they hope this season and its concert will be emotionally charged, balancing explosive energy and tenderness.

Page has been known for decades for his enthusiastic conducting and award-winning musical arrangements. This next season of Mystic Chorale, as in the past, will feature old and new pieces.

The theme for the season comes from a new piece composed by Page called “Halev Roked”, with the words “The heart dances, the soul sings”. More songs than ever will feature the entire chorus, including Ysaye Barnwell’s arrangement of “I Am Determined (To Walk in Freedom)” and the anthem “The Storm is Passing Over (Courage My Soul) .”

Page will bring back a few other old favorites, including Bernice Johnson Reagon’s arrangement of “The Sun Will Never Go Down” and “Freedom #7” by Duke Ellington.

The new pieces will include a catchy gospel song originally created by the Jubilee Singers in the 1880s – “I’m Gonna Sing All the Way” – as well as a cheerful South African song “Ayangena”, with the words ” Who can prevail without courage?

The show will also feature Page’s own arrangement, called “A Simple Shalom”, combining “Simple Gifts” with “Shalom Chaverim”. This will be followed by the poignant 1940s hit “We’ll Meet Again”. At the concert itself, Mystic Chorale alumni will be invited to join in the traditional Mystic chant, “Everyday is Thanksgiving.”

New singers and veterans are invited to participate throughout this season to help fire the outgoing director.

During these ongoing times of Covid-19, Mystic Chorale’s first priority is everyone’s health and safety, including protocols beyond what Massachusetts requires. However, for those who are not ready for live singing and wish to participate remotely, there is the option to join as a virtual singer. The rehearsals and concert will be streamed live and recorded, and the recordings will be posted on the Mystic Chorale website a few days later. All singers will receive PDF files of the music and access to practice recordings.

Organizers note, however, that virtual singers will not be able to perform in the concert itself.

The season is set to begin with 11 weeks of rehearsals beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 13 at First Parish Unitarian Church, 630 Mass Ave.

The concert itself is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 at Cary Hall, 1605 Mass Ave., Lexington. Tickets are $25 and are available on the choir’s website. More details are at this link within the website.

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This news was posted on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Information was provided by Mystic Chorale.