Young People’s Chorus of Erie Spring Concert

“Let the River Run”

Water and its many contexts—sustainer of life, ritual purifier, pirate workspace—will be the theme of the Young People’s Chorus of Erie spring concert.

“Let the River Run” will feature performances by YPC Erie’s Concert Chorus, Chorale, Young Men’s Chorus and Cantare. The repertoire includes a new arrangement of the Carly Simon song that gives the performance its theme; Gustav Holst’s “Hymn to the Waters,” with lyrics taken from Hindu water mythology; “O Sapo (The Toad)” a Brazilian folk song sung in lightning-quick Portuguese; the American folk songs “Sail Away” and “Sweet Rivers;” and a cappella composer-comedian Tim Y. Jones’ rollicking “Pirate Song.”

YPC Erie’s satellite choirs from the Bethesda Trinity Center, Multicultural Community Resource Center and Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network also will perform.

The event will close with a massed choir of more than 100 voices singing “You Have a Heart,” a piece commissioned for the all-abilities choir Joyful Noise.

YPC Erie is a youth outreach program of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. It is led by artistic director Dr. Gabrielle Dietrich, director of choral activities at the college, and assistant conductor Caitlin Henning.

“Let the River Run” will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at First United Methodist Church of Erie, 707 Sassafras St. Tickets are $20 for premium seating, $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Children 6 and under will be admitted free of charge. To purchase tickets, visit ypcerie.org or phone 814-898-6789.