Nova Singers and Galesburg Community Chorus: a first-ever collaboration

Two of the Galesburg area's most prominent choral organizations are sharing a stage for the very first time — and the timing couldn't be more fitting. Nova Singers and the Galesburg Community Chorus join forces Saturday, April 25, for a performance of the Duruflé Requiem at First Lutheran Church, 364 E. Water St. in Galesburg. The concert marks the close of Nova Singers' 40th anniversary season and falls during the Galesburg Community Chorus's 80th anniversary year. Dr. Laura Lane, music director of Nova Singers, and Dr. Tim Pahel, director of the Galesburg Community Chorus, joined Galesburg's Morning News Tuesday morning to talk about the collaboration. Topics covered in this interview: How the idea for the first-ever joint performance came about Why the Duruflé Requiem — a rarely performed work — was chosen What 82 voices and a full orchestra sounds like in a live acoustic church The milestone anniversaries converging around this single concert What to expect from Nova Singers' a cappella opening set Why Dr. Lane is telling singers to ignore their ears and watch the conductor   Doors open at 7 p.m. The concert begins at 7:30. Tickets are available at the door and at novasingers.com. Adults $20, seniors 62 and older $17, students free. A large crowd is expected — plan to arrive early.