
DATE: Wednesday, May 7, 1997                TAG: 9705080652

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:  104 lines

GREEN CHORALE EXCELS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DISCIPLINARIAN

THE 25TH YEAR of the I. Sherman Green Chorale comes to a close Thursday night as conductor Carl Haywood leads the group in its performance of ``The Conversion of St. Paul'' by composer Fellix[sic] Mendelssohn.

The evening will also include selections by African-American composers, as well as English cathedral anthems, a mixture of organ and voice seemingly custom-made for Norfolk's cavernous and ornate Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

The major work is a passionate piece, chronicling the evolution of Saul, persecutor of Christians, to Paul, follower of Christ.

``It's a beautiful marriage of voices, organ and symphony,'' said Haywood.

It is an oratorio, mixing soloists, chorus and orchestra. Members of the Virginia Symphony will join the chorale, and featured performers include organist James W. Kosnik and vocalists Patricia Nixon, soprano; Karen Goad, alto; Clifford Wells, tenor; and Frank Ward, bass.

The piece follows Christianity's first martyrs and the impact of Christ on a non-believer.

From the road to Demascus to the blinding of Saul, ``Conversion'' combines lush sound and soft passages to describe the birth of the apostle Paul. It is in a haunting aria that the resolution occurs, when Saul follows the Lord, then the oratorio erupts in a climactic song of praise.

Continuing in the tradition of the chorale's association with the symphony, it promises to be an emotional evening of great sounds, Haywood said.

Or else.

``The music that has been made at this church has been amazing,'' Haywood informed his singers after a recent practice at St Luke's. ``If you can't come here and do that, stay home.''

This is the Carl Haywood whom chorale members have come to know and love. He is a perfectionist. And the group reflects his character.

``There is a historic standard of excellence,'' said chorale member Peter D. Lucas, 55. ``It is the end result of what Dr. Haywood demands.''

The super-organized conductor has had the helm of the chorale since 1978, when founder I. Sherman Greene became ill. Greene was a noted choir director at Booker T. Washington High School while he led his group through works by Mozart, Brahms and Verdi. Haywood was his accompanist and friend. He was at Greene's side when sickness finally claimed his life in 1981.

There was a noticeable change in the group when the baton was passed, said Sylvia A. Stephenson, 51. The Chesapeake resident is a founding member of the group. The only things she has done longer, she noted, are ``drive a car, live and work.''

The transition was a smooth one, but the focus became a little more serious because Haywood ``is such a demanding person.''

But this inspires the chorale members to do great things, to sing tighter, to achieve great things for a group in which no one is paid, where the singing is for love of music and the mutual respect within the chorale's membership.

``I love music because it's a God-given gift,'' said Stephenson. ``I try not to miss a chance to give it back. ``I'm an only child, and this is like my family.''

It's the kind of family that understands that when Haywood says something he means it.

``Wednesday you should be here at 8 p.m. sharp,'' he instructed in regard to the final practice before tomorrow's main event. ``Do I need to say anything else?''

``No sir,'' members of the choir responded.

``Be on the steps no later than 8:10 sharp. Does that mean parking the car, sitting on the steps or talking to your grandma?''

He paused a beat.

``No. On the steps.''

``He's quite a disciplinarian,'' said Leonard J. Tucker, 60.

Tucker has been with the chorale for five years. Born and raised in Newport News, he joined the chorale because music has been part of his life since childhood. His uncle was a vaudeville performer in New York City; his mother was a classic pianist. And he majored in music at Norfolk State University.

He feels connected to the music the chorale will present Thursday, and he is glad Hampton Roads has a civic music ensemble capable of delivering such work to the masses.

``We always do a complete mix of music,'' said Tucker. ``English traditional, spirituals - the group is very talented, very diverse. Not many ensembles around here can perform the variety of music this ensemble performs.'' MEMO: In addition to ``The Conversion of St. Paul'' by Fellix[sic]

Mendelssohn, the chorale Thursday will perform six shorter works. Three

are English cathedral anthems by John Ireland, C. Hubert H. Parry and H.

Gardner, and the rest are compositions by three African-American

composers, John Work, R. Nathanial Dett and Undine Smith Moore. Dett was

choir director at Hampton University. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

GARY C. KNAPP/The Virginian-Pilot

Conductor Carl Haywood leads the I. Sherman Green Chorale during a

practice for its performance Thursday.

Photo

GARY C. KNAPP / The Virginian-Pilot

The I. Sherman Green Chorale prepares to present ``The Conversion of

St. Paul'' by composer Fellix[sic] Mendelssohn.