A concert dedicated to peace will be presented by the Chancel Choir of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. in the church sanctuary. 

The Concert for World Peace will include English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ (1872-1958) cantata “Dona Nobis Pacem,” with full orchestra and soloists Magdalena Wór and Stephen Ozcomert. Glenn Music Director Steven Darsey will conduct. Emory organist and music professor Timothy Albrecht will accompany.

Vaughan Williams, whose composition premiered in 1936 in the shadow of World War II, chose portions of the Catholic Mass, a political speech, scripture and poems of Walt Whitman for the text of the cantata to portray dramatically the evil of war and the holy search for peace.

Also performed will be the hymn “O God of Every Nation,” led by Albrecht, and the anthem “Hear My Prayer, O Lord,” by English composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695), sung by the Glenn Chamber Choir. 

Dwight Andrews, professor of music theory and African American music at Emory and pastor of First Congregational Church UCC, will speak on music and world peace. 

An offering will be taken during the free concert, with half the proceeds going to the Mar Elias Peace Study Center via United Methodist Global Ministries. Located in Israel, the Mar Elias Center comprises schools where “Jews, Druze, and Arab Christians and Muslims meet daily to learn and work together toward building a better future.”

Free parking is available in the Fishburne Parking Deck. For more information, contact Nancy Buckhannan at 404-272-2051.