World premier to be performed at Our Lady of the Mountains Church

March 16, 2009-Jackson, Wyoming.

On Wednesday, April 8, 2009 Francis Koerber, Director of Music, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, will conduct the world premier of his most recent work, Septem Ultima Verba Iesu Christi In Cruce (The Last Seven Words of Christ on the Cross) at 7pm. Arranged for string orchestra and choir, the work will feature instrumentalists and choralists from Jackson who will join with members of the church choir for an hour long concert of sacred music.

The concert is being held on April 8, 2009 because that day foreshadows the beginning of the most holy three days of the Christian calendar, called the Triduum, which celebrates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This concert was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor for the purpose of seeding a new concert series to be held at Our Lady of the Mountains on a regular basis. It will also enrich the cultural and musical heritage for residents of Jackson and create yet another wonderful venue for the many visitors to the town.

The musical work consists of eight movements, and is composed as a tone painting that tries to capture the ethos of each moment when a particular word was spoken by Christ from the cross. Various movements are titled as follows: My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?; Mother, Behold Your Son, Behold Your Mother; I Thirst and It Is Finished .

All are welcome to attend the concert. It is free and open to the public. An offering will be taken and all proceeds will go directly toward the promotion of the concert series of Our Lady of the Mountains.

For more information, contact Our Lady of the Mountains : 307-733-2516 or email francis@myopus.com.