By Stephanie Bunker

Moapa Valley Progress

Members of the Zephyr Consort warm up the audience before the “Evening of Music” concert began on Sunday evening. The concert featured a program of non-secular sacred music performed by the Zephyr Singers and Orchestra. Pictured l to r Gaye Neson, Mary Lou Whitney, Floice Lund, Heather Lyon. Photo by Stephanie Bunker.

The Zephyr Singers, Consort, and Strings presented an Evening of Sacred Music on Sunday, May 20. Zephyr director, Gaye Nelson said that, in planning the program, she wanted to offer a moment of reverence and joy for the members of the community.

The Zephyrs are talented members of the community brought together by Gaye Nelson.

“We had the biggest a group of Zephyr Singers, and there were quite a few new people, totaling over 40 musicians,” Nelson said.

The group featured musicians of various ages. Nelson explained that only three weeks before the concert the group had to find new cello and bass players. When the Mack Lyon Middle School orchestra teacher, Walter White, asked local students if they would be willing to participate, they were enthusiastic about it and rose to the occasion.

The first several pieces were sung a-capella by the Zephyr Singers. The first piece, Ubi Caritas by Ola Gjeilo was sung Latin and was influenced by Gregorian chant. Next the choir performed a work composed by the Zephyr’s founding director Floice Lund of Moapa. The gentle and pastoral music was called, The Lord’s My Shepherd. Next the choir performed God So Loved the World by Bob Chilcott. Soprano Kara Lewis sang above the choir with a beautiful solo.

Next the Zephyr Strings performed Bach Cantata No. 99-Chorale arranged by Pordon. Sherrie Whitney then played an majestic organ solo called Come, Come Ye Saints arranged by Heidi Allie.

The women of the Zephyr Singers sang Simple Gifts arranged by Amy Dalton. This was followed by the upbeat Morning Has Broken by Mack Wilberg. Floice Lund & Mary Lou Whitney were highlighted performing dual flute obligatti.

During the choir’s performance of Hymn for America, a slideshow by Dustin Nelson was displayed. The slideshow was compiled from Nelson’s photos of the surrounding areas including Gold Butte and the Bowman Reservoir.

The Zephyr Strings played a soothing piece called Adagio in G Minor by Tomaso Albinoni featuring a solo by violinist/concert master Walter White. Linda Lyon accompanied in the piece from the organ.

The Zephyr Singers and Strings came together for John Rutter’s All Things Bright & Beautiful and the finale was Psalm 148 by Gustav Holst.

“I was really impressed at the level of music,” said first-year choir member Mitzi Bender. “It was challenging and musical. The music gets inside your ear and your soul.”

The Zephyrs will be presenting this program at the St. George Tabernacle on June 1.