Members of the Williamsport Chamber Choir & Orchestra under the direction of Samuel Robinson work on several pieces of music during a recent practice at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Williamsport. The group will have a concert titled “Refrains of the Reformation” at the Williamsport church Nov. 14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Williamsport Chamber Choir & Orchestra will perform its “Refrains of the Reformation” concert at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 142 Market Street, a press release said. The show is directed by Samuel Robinson and will feature ensembles from the Williamsport Youth Choir, along with soloists Megan Cartwright, Joanna Rees, Jason Sandonato and Todd Griffith. Williamsport Area High School history teacher Craig Niklaus will open with historical remarks.

Tickets for the performance are available at the door.

The program will celebrate the enduring musical legacy of the Reformation, with works inspired by Martin Luther. His hymn Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”) became the anthem of the Reformation. Nearly two centuries later, J.S Bach gave Ein feste Burg new life in his monumental Cantata BWV 80 by drawing upon familiar chorales to unify theology and art. The choir will perform this famous cantata, as well as works by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, which both reveal a reverence for the sacred word and the belief that music, sung in the people’s language, remain a powerful expression of faith.

Performing this program within the sanctuary of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church brings the spirit of the Reformation to life in a uniquely tangible way. The church’s North Windows, devoted to the theme of Creative Expression, depict artists through the ages whose work illuminated faith through art.

Artistic director Robinson noted that “in this sacred space, the music of Luther, Bach, and Mendelssohn resonates not only as history but as living faith — an art form born of conviction and shared in community. These Refrains of the Reformation remind us that sacred song, whether centuries old or newly inspired, remains one of humanity’s most profound expressions of belief, beauty, and unity.”

Williamsport Chamber Choir & Orchestra’s mission is to provide superb cultural entertainment for the people of the Williamsport area, the press release said. Since 1999, the organization has been an opportunity for trained regional singers to learn and sing high-quality, intriguing small-scale choral literature. The choir has set a high standard of quality performances of a broad range of repertoire and has an educational outreach that sponsors three Youth Choirs. Over the years, WCCO has been blessed with the leadership of the regions’ top choral directors who have led collaborative performances with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, Billtown Brass, and the “Nutcracker Ballet.”