Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, and Neil Dimaggio will present
鈥淪ongs for the Amusement of All鈥� at Christ Lutheran Church, 6595 Covington Way in
Goleta, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. There will be a goodwill offering to benefit Domestic
Violence Solutions. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has agreed to match the donation.The
duo will perform the same program Friday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m. in 蜜桃传媒鈥檚 Deane Chapel.
Shasberger, baritone, and Dimaggio, piano, will perform three song cycles by 20th
and 21st century composers, all based on the works of Christian poets. Ralph Vaughan
Williams鈥� 鈥淔ive Mystical Songs,鈥� based on the poems of 17th century English pastor/poet
George Herbert, explore themes from the joy of the resurrection to the mystery of
communion.
San Francisco composer Conrad Susa鈥檚 鈥淗ymns for the Amusement of Children鈥� give fresh
musical insights into the beautifully crafted devotional prayers of 18th century English
poet Christopher Smart.
鈥淭he music has influences of jazz and popular styles infused throughout, but carries
Susa鈥檚 own very unique musical language,鈥� says Shasberger.
A third set of songs, 鈥淎 Cycle of Light鈥� by Texas composer Joel Martinson, is based on the writing of several women poets. Traditional texts such as Eleanor Farjeon鈥檚 鈥淢orning Has Broken,鈥� Christina Rossetti鈥檚 carol 鈥淚n the Bleak Midwinter鈥� and Caroline Sandell Berg鈥檚 hymn 鈥淐hildren of the Heavenly Father鈥� complement pieces by contemporary poets Delores Duffner and Susan Palo Cherwien. Collectively they tell the story of the church year from Pentecost through Easter. Shasberger and Dimaggio will also perform two settings of early camp meeting revival songs by well-loved American composer Aaron Copland.
Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County works to end the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence by providing prevention and intervention services and by challenging society鈥檚 attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to effect social change.
The program will be available for performances in churches, schools, homes or concert settings following these dates. Interested sponsors should contact the 蜜桃传媒 music department at (805) 565-6040.