As part of its celebratory 50th anniversary year, and in cooperation with other Olympic Peninsula choirs, the Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County brings the works of internationally known, Los Angeles-based composer, arranger and pianist Shawn Kirchner to local audiences in three concerts this weekend, April 4-6.

The composer himself appears as a special guest for the concert program “O! What a Beautiful City,” the name of which is borrowed from the title of one of Kirchner’s songs.

Performances are 7 p.m. Friday, April 4 at First Presbyterian Church, 1111 Franklin St., Port Townsend; 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Trinity Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim; and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 45 Redeemer Way, Chimacum.

“It has been an honor to work with Shawn Kirchner,” said spring chorus director Jon Stafford. “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to bring a composer whom I respect greatly and have enjoyed singing his music for years to Port Townsend.”

Kirchner’s choral works are performed around the world. Equally active as a performer, his biography states that he also has sung 20 seasons as a tenor with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in concerts featuring some of the world’s leading conductors, composers, and soloists. As a pianist, he appears throughout the country in performances of his music with collaborating choirs and is celebrated for his wide stylistic range, improvisation, and musicianship.

Stafford said the seed for the all-Kirchner program was planted last fall, with the hope that the composer himself would participate and offer insights and guidance for shaping the music. Kirchner has ties to Port Townsend since his sister, Shannon Kirchner, lives there.

Stafford said he had previously had the good fortune to work with Shawn Kirchner as part of the local Summertime Singers, and he jumped at the chance to collaborate with him and learn from him again.

“He’s brilliant and energetic,” Stafford said. “He could have done other things, but he chose choral music. He’s just a treasure trove of information and knowledge. Plus, he’s super passionate about it, and super upbeat — and uplifting, and inspirational.”

Stafford not only conducts the Community Chorus in the spring, he also is co-director of the Peninsula Singers of Sequim, along with his mother, Colleen Johnson. Peninsula Singers and members of two other Port Townsend-based choirs, Summertime Singers and RainShadow Chorale, all join the Community Chorus, making a combined choir of about 90 voices.

Kirchner came in person to Port Townsend in March to offer a workshop and rehearsal with the mass choir. He plans to be on hand for the April performances, too, in which three choirs all sing on their own, and then combine for joint numbers.

Johnson, who directs Summertime Singers, said once the cooperative idea took shape, it seemed obvious that all the choirs could learn the same music and come together for concerts.

Singers, directors, piano accompanists from the choirs, guest instrumentalists, and soloists all collaborate on this program. “My hope is that everyone coming together will have a synergy that really hits home with the audience,” Stafford said.

Praise for Kirchner

Johnson described some of her takeaways from Kirchner.

“I learned from him that composers make choices about what they include or leave out of their music and that we must do our best to honor their intentions,” she said. “What he writes is what he wants, and that was part of what we learned at the joint rehearsal. He talked about the emotion that underlies his writing and we were inspired to sing with feeling. He has this vibrant intellect and helped us see the connections he perceives — and how they are linked to his music.”

Stafford relayed that Kirchner is a stellar example of a contemporary gospel composer, but he is not limited to the gospel genre. His range in repertoire varies greatly from piece to piece, Stafford said, and the combined choirs will sing everything from rousing gospel songs, gentle love ballads, songs with an international flavor, and heartfelt personal expressions.

Beth Cahape, a soprano who serves on the Community Chorus board of directors, said, “What an absolutely amazing season we’ve had working on Shawn Kirchner’s music. His compositions are beautiful and deeply moving, and it’s been such a joy to actually meet and work with him.”

Working with a luminary such as Kirchner has had a profound effect on all the singers, including David Segleau, a bass and another member of the chorus board. “I look forward to performing under the personal direction and guidance of a world-renowned musician and composer,” he said. “It’s such a unique opportunity.”

Chorus board president Linda Atkins concurred. “It was inspiring to hear from the composer his intention and the process that went into the creation of the music we are singing. I feel so much more emotionally connected to the music and understand what Shawn wants us to convey to the audience.”

Plus, the music is fun to sing, Stafford enthused. “It’s enjoyable for singers. It’s enjoyable for the audience. And, it’s fun to conduct.” He said the composer’s cleverness musically is a hallmark of his work, since he writes small but playful and unexpected variations throughout his music.

Karla Morgan, president of the Peninsula Singers in Sequim, is also relishing the opportunity to sing with the composer of the music, calling the new experience soul-lifting. Plus, she is enjoying the collaboration with other groups. “I love the idea of doing something Peninsula-wide and getting to know others in the choral scene,” she said. “It’s good for encouragement.”

Stafford acknowledged being “amped” about the concerts.

“We can make brilliant, inspiring art,” he said.

Segue to autumn

While Stafford is exhilarated about the Kirchner concerts, he also views the spring program as a natural launch for the fall season, when the Community Chorus is set to collaborate with RainShadow Chorale in presenting George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” complete with orchestra, Nov. 22 and 23. Guest director Laurie de Leonne, artistic director of RainShadow Chorale, will conduct.

The beloved oratorio is a favorite of the chorus. Historically, it has produced the work every five years since the inception of the chorus in 1975. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the tradition and there were no performances in 2020, making this year’s performances even more special, according to president Atkins and the chorus board of directors.

“It’s impressive to be able to make it to 50 years,” Stafford said of the 50th anniversary observance in 2025. He noted that the organization has supported him and invested in his potential, for which he is grateful. He also believes that the chorus creates pathways for performing, not only for himself, but also for people such as accompanist Liz Hopkins, guest instrumentalists, solo singers, and others.

“Our 50th anniversary year is pretty darn exciting!” remarked an enthusiastic Atkins.

Tickets for the April trio of concerts are a suggested $15 donation at the door or at brownpapertickets.com. For information about the spring concerts, or about joining the non-auditioned Community Chorus for “Messiah,” visit ptchorus.org, or find the group on Facebook.

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Lynn Nowak has been singing with the Community Chorus for 45 of its 50 years and serves on its board of directors.

Photo by Lynn Nowak| Shawn Kirchner inspired singers at a March rehearsal and workshop.

Photo by Lynn Nowak Shawn Kirchner plays piano for an attentive audience.

Photo by Lynn Nowak Shawn Kirchner plays piano for an attentive audience.