Festival of Choirs

The Palmetto Mastersingers and  four guest choirs will debut “God of All Ages” by Columbia composer Larry Shackley at its annual Festival of Choirs.  The program, entitled “Ages and Stages,” will be presented on Saturday, February 22, at St. Andrews Baptist Church.

Shackley, accomplished Columbia composer and musician, has merged the familiar hymns “O God Our Help in Ages Past” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” into a fresh arrangement especially for this event.  The combined chorus of almost 200 voices will perform the piece at the conclusion of the program.

Participating choirs include SHE Sings, directed by Fredna Lee, Paula Wilson, and Lillian Quackenbush; the Shandon Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, directed by Alicia Walker; the Irmo Elementary School Super Star Singers, directed by Tania Turner; and the Sumter High School Concert Choir, directed by Ashlee Poole.  Each choir, as well as the Mastersingers, will perform an individual set, and then unite in the Shackley commission for the finale.

The Palmetto Mastersingers, an all-male chorus, have been entertaining audiences in Columbia, statewide, nationally and internationally since 1981.  Lillian Quackenbush is artistic director and Allison Hilbish is accompanist.