Community performers come together to present 'Lamb of God'

The 45 members of the chorus and 30 musicians in the orchestra started again, and this time, the sound from the chorus was loud and energetic.

“Israel rejoices!” Shumway proclaimed again, smiling this time while raising his arms in appreciation.

“Lamb of God” is an oratorio, a musical work without costumes or scenery for orchestra and voices. The production is scheduled for April 26-28 in the Laramie High School auditorium. All performances are free and open to all.

Organizers describe it as “a sacred portrayal by choir, orchestra, and soloists, of the final days of the life of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection.”

Shumway has been conducting various church choirs and groups for the past 10 years. He heard a recording of “Lamb of God” while working at the Institute of Religion, a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints program at the University of Wyoming.

“I really think it’s inspired,” Shumway said. The music is complicated, he explained, and also dynamic, with bold sections and moments of complete silence.

His first thought was to present the piece with four vocalists and a piano. The scope grew quickly last year, and has grown again for this year.

“My vision was very simple but I loved the music, I knew it would be something that would be beautiful, no matter what. I never imagined that it would become what it has,” he said.

“Lamb of God” is the work from American composer, producer and conductor Rob Gardner, and has been performed worldwide since 2010. The Laramie production is the only one scheduled in Wyoming.

The event is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but Shumway said the oratorio is not reflective of a particular church.

“One of the questions was what about the nonbelievers, because this is about Christ and the last years of his life, would they have any incentive to come? This music is incredible,” Shumway said. “When you listen to Handel and Haydn or any of these great works, they are all religious-based, but the music is incredible. It goes beyond religion and what you believe, and I think this is the case, as well.”

The performers include high school students, community members, University of Wyoming students and faculty. They are all volunteers who have come together only for this presentation.

“Laramie’s a special place. There are not many communities that can do this,” Shumway said. “For a community this size to find the talent to do this, is incredible. The perfect mixture of university and community.”

After seeing last year’s performance, some community members made it a goal to participate this year.

“A lot of the people who saw it last year, and I’m one of them, wanted to be in it,” chorus member Debra Heiner said. “Lots of people who are in it this year watched it last year, and other members from the community, as well.”

Although this year’s performers share an admiration for the music, they also came from diverse musical backgrounds. The only auditions were for the soloists.

Heiner and flutist Ashley Frome credited Shumway with bringing the performers together. Frome added that the music itself helped create the teamwork they needed.

“One of the reasons we work so well is how well the piece is written. I think if you have a piece that isn’t written so well you can hear it in a group that hasn’t played together; that hasn’t practiced for how many weeks, how many months,” she said. “But I think as we all worked together as a unit; you really blend. You just work that magic together as you practice.”

That magic is one of the reasons Heiner joined the chorus.

“It just fills my cup, just being a part of a group, something out of the everyday, the mundane, and sharing it with everyone who loves it. I can’t wait for practice every Sunday,” Heiner said.

“Even for a nonbeliever, just to have that feeling is enjoyable to be around. Away from the muck of the world, just to have peaceful, wonder, elated feeling of beautiful music. It’s worth it.” Frome added. “Music touches such a special part of a person that words can never touch.”

“Lamb of God” will be performed as two evening performances and a Saturday matinee. The matinee was scheduled because all of the brass instrument players are from the UW Department of Music, which also has a performance scheduled for Saturday night.