Church attendance is a central religious
practice for many Christians. However,
whether a regular church goer or not, those who were present at the Somerset
Civic Centre on March 28th for Patrick M. Liebergen’s ‘The Triumph
Song of Life’ were left in no doubt of their faith and Christian beliefs. This Easter Cantata, the foundations of which
were laid by the Anglican Church’s Reverend Loretta Tyler-Moss and in company
with the Brisbane Valley Churches Together and the Esk Community Choir,
presented the Story of Easter in word and song to a truly captivated capacity audience.
Before a seemingly suspended wooden cross on
stage, a poignant symbol of Jesus’s triumph over death, His resurrection and
gift of everlasting life, the Story of Easter, was set in motion by Reverend
Loretta and in turn, members of the multi denominational Clergy. Throughout the story of Jesus’s palm waving
arrival in Jerusalem; the affirmation of love with a recreation of Jesus’s
washing of his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper; Jesus’s trial, crucifixion
and His resurrection, audience members were held in silent adoration, not the
least being a response to the exalted singing by the Esk Community Choir
alongside the outstanding accompaniments by Alexis, Ruth, and Suzanne.
With the choir’s songs interwoven with each of
the phases of the Easter Story, the story became a magnificent Cantata with
music by some of the world’s greatest composers… Gounod, Mendelssohn, Handel,
and lyrics to Beethoven’s triumphant Symphony No. 9, Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee. And along with the uplifting final sounds
of Lift High the Cross by the entire gathering, this was a stellar climax
to the ‘tragic, sad, and glorious’ Story of Easter, thoroughly embraced by all
who came to hear.
To Reverend Loretta Tyler-Moss for her
invitation to choir and to all who shouldered the task of bringing a Christian community
together to celebrate this story of Jesus’s sacrifice for all humanity, Alexis
and her Esk Community Choir give their heartfelt thanks.
By: Sue Walker
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