The Sheepscot Valley Chorus presents “Requiem for the Living” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 at the Second Congregational Church of Newcastle.

“Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest, composed in 2013, is scored for mixed choir and orchestra with solos for soprano and tenor. Combining both liturgical and non-liturgical texts, this powerful five-movement work projects a wide range of meaningful expression, from a biting essay on the vanity and pain of mankind to a plea for mercy, and finally a celebration of eternal light. The work has received more than a hundred performances world-wide within a year of its composition, including performances in Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and multiple performances at Carnegie Hall.

Pieces based on the beautiful poetry of the Song of Solomon, and Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In will round out the second half of the program.

The entire program will have accompaniment by a professional chamber orchestra.

Student Music Award winners Grace Campbell / Boothbay Region High School, Matthew Long / Lincoln Academy, and Elizabeth Chase /Wiscasset High School will perform. 

Students are selected by their high school music teachers for the SVC award for their commitment to and leadership in music. Award winners receive a stipend from the chorus and perform at the spring concerts. 

“Requiem for Living” program: Love songs from the “Song of Solomon,” and “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In” from the musical “Hair,” with accompaniment by a professional chamber orchestra.

The performance is free for students, and $15 for non-students. Tickets available in advance at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta, sheepscotvalleychorus.org and at the door - 51 Main St., Newcastle.