This rendition of Robert Ray’s He Never Failed Me Yet is just one example of the kind of music performed by The Lexington Singers. Music director Dr. Jeff Johnson said this choir was founded in 1958.
“So, we’re one of the longest continuously performing community choirs in the United States. Also, at 200 voices, one of the largest,” explained Johnson.
Johnson, who’s in his 28th year as music director of the group, said the Lexington Singers are excited to be taking their ninth international tour this week.
“We’ve been to four continents and several times to Europe, but this time it’s a little different and a little more special for us as we travel to Paris to give the European premiere performance of a new major work, a 30-minute major work for chorus and orchestra called Aeterna Via by American composer Elaine Hagenberg," said Johnson.
Johnson said that in November of last year, the Iowa-based Hagenberg contacted the Lexington Singers. She invited the choir to give the world premiere performance of her new piece Aeterna Via, which they did.
“And she came and visited Lexington, and we did a concert at the Singletary Center, and it was sold out. And she spent four days with us, and we had a great time. And then she also asked us at that time, can you come to Paris and give the European premiere of the same piece and we enthusiastically accepted,” said Johnson.
The music director said 108 members of the Lexington Singers are on this tour. The tour, he said, started in Paris, where they plan to spend five days. After they leave Paris, they expect to travel to London and perform. And the final stop scheduled is Newmarket, England, which is Lexington’s sister city.
“We’re very excited to be singing in Newmarket, England, because of the Sister City connection. But also, because we are going to do a joint concert with the Newmarket Community Chorus. We’ll be singing songs separately and together. That’s a really cool way to connect with another culture when you get to perform with them,” said Johnson.
Choir member and President of the Lexington Singers, Lori Wallace, gathered items that represent Kentucky to give to the folks in Newmarket.
“We actually bought a variety of things to give to these people. Like I had to buy Bourbon Balls and Blue Monday. We got shot glasses from Keeneland and a variety of things to give to the director,” said Wallace.
The alto singer said this trip has been on her bucket list.
“I just want to say that singing with a choir, a variety of people, you know, different beliefs and different experiences, is just a way to build community with people you wouldn’t normally hang around with,” said Wallace.
The Lexington Singers' European tour wraps up Saturday.
