The first choral concert of the fall term aims to renew the audience’s appreciation of nature. The concert will have traditional and contemporary music and includes poetry.

“We are excited about one piece from a new composer from New Zealand, Daniel Brinsmead, and the piece is called ‘God’s Grandeur,'” Director of Choral Ensembles Cathy Crispino said. “[The lyrics come from] a poem by a Victorian poet named Gerard Manley Hopkins. It is a very powerful poem about our connection to the earth and what we are doing to it. One of the best quotes is, ‘For all this nature is never spent.’ Like, there is renewal with each dawn.”

In past years, this concert was usually in the Methodist church, but it is being held in Rice Auditorium this year. The change will allow the choirs to have additional space to accommodate a guest choir.

All of three of the Baker choirs will be joined by a guest choir from Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences, a school at which current Crispino taught for 10 years. When Crispino was teaching at Sumner, the choir was invited to perform at Baker, so she thinks this concert is ‘bringing it full circle.’

In addition, the concert will feature guest faculty performances by music faculty members Robin Liston (horn) and Steve Riley (percussion).

The choirs also plan on bringing back their Convocation song “Oh, Happy Day” which will be sung with the Sumner choir. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, in Rice Auditorium.