More than 100 people have been planning and rehearsing for Fountain Street Church’s annual Memorial Concert this year. Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers requires two adult choirs and a children‘s choir, dancers and a chamber orchestra. In addition to the Fountain Street Church Adult Choir, performers will include the Aquinas College choirs and singers recruited from the West Michigan Opera Project and the community along with dancers from the Deos Contemporary Ballet and a 20-piece orchestra.  Fountain Street and Aquinas Choir Director Austin McWilliams will conduct. The production is directed by Dr. Rachael Gates, soprano, opera director and instructor of voice and pedagogy at Grand Valley State University. Ballet choreography is by Deos Artistic Director Tess Sinke.

FSC’s Memorial Concert has been a spring tradition for decades. It is a showcase for the Adult Choir with additional recruits and usually features a single major work. Donations offer an opportunity to honor or memorialize loved ones with a program acknowledgement.

There will be a pre-concert talk at 6:30, featuring Austin McWilliams, Rachael Gates and Cindy Kamp. A wine reception will follow the performance.

Please note, there is currently no access on Fountain Street from the west. There is on-street parking in the neighborhood or paid parking at the GRCC ramp and Ellis lots.