Nova Singers and Galesburg Chorus Combine for Heavenly Requiem
While the 40-year-old Nova Singers has long held regular performances in Galesburg, Ill., as well as Davenport, this spring’s concert will be the first time the professional choir will perform with the Galesburg Community Chorus.
Nova Singers, under the direction of Laura Lane, and Galesburg Community Chorus, under Tim Pahel, will present two performances of the Maurice Duruflé Requiem, Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 364 E. Water Street, Galesburg, and Sunday, April 26 at 4 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady St., Davenport.
Nova Singers (20 members) and Galesburg Community Chorus (65 singers) will have a combined total of 85. The professional orchestra will have a total of 22 instrumentalists, plus Polly Brecht on organ.
Nova Singers was founded in 1986 by Laura Lane, and the 20-voice ensemble has a national reputation for expressiveness, virtuosity and innovative programming.
Wrappng up the Nova’s 40th anniversary season, this extraordinary major work from 1947 is consoling, uplifting and profoundly moving, as well as being breathtakingly beautiful, says Nova Singers music director Laura Lane.
“I am thrilled that we are putting the beautiful voices of the Galesburg Community Chorus and the Nova Singers together for the very first time,” she said in a Monday release. “I chose the Duruflé Requiem for this event because it is unbelievably beautiful.
“It has quiet, intimate moments that swell into huge, powerful climaxes,” Lane said. “Every melody is inspired by chant, yet this is the sweetest chant you will ever hear. Imagine lovely melodies combined with impressionistic harmonies, spiritual inspiration and drama—that is the Duruflé Requiem! Nova Singers will open the program with a few of our most beloved audience favorites.”
Galesburg Community Chorus has brought high-quality music performances to audiences in west-central Illinois for the past 80 years. As Galesburg’s oldest continuing performing arts organization, the Chorus provides local singers an opportunity to sing great choral-orchestral works and gives the community a chance to hear these works performed.
The Galesburg Community Chorus has brought high-quality music performances to audiences in west-central Illinois for 80 years.
Tickets are available at the door. Admission is $20 for adults and $17 for seniors (62+). Students are admitted free of charge.
For more information about Nova Singers events, call 309-341-7038, or e-mail nova@knox.edu or like their Facebook page. More information about Galesburg Community Chorus can be found at www.galesburgcommunitychorus.org or on their Facebook page.
Duruflé Requiem is sponsored by G & M Distributors and Blick Art Materials. Both Nova Singers and Galesburg Community Chorus’ 2025-26 seasons are partially funded by grants from the Galesburg Community Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council. The Galesburg Community Chorus dedicates their participation in this performance to Chuck and Mary Runyon Gibbs.
Nova Singers will perform April 25 in Galesburg and April 26 in Davenport.
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