“The Solemn Blessings”

Michael Shirtz’s composition “The Solemn Blessings” will be performed at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 in Hoover Auditorium.

The cantata, based on Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, premiered at Lakeside in August 2009. It was written by Shirtz to relate to Christ’s lessons of the Beatitudes to society’s current struggles and tribulations.

“The Solemn Blessings” features soloists, a chorus, an orchestra and a jazz group. The Michael Shirtz Quartet will play during the contemporary sections. The composition uses the choir as the voice of the people of God, the soprano soloist as the voice of the messenger and the tenor soloist as the voice of Jesus.

The orchestration was written for a full orchestra. Flute and violin solos are used throughout the work to signify the impressions of the dove as the symbol of peace and personal reflections.

A performer, educator, composer and conductor, Shirtz is known for his versatility with jazz, contemporary and classical music audiences.  As an entertainer, his vocal style and arrangements feature jazz, blues, funk, rock, gospel and singer/songwriter styles into his performances.

Holding degrees in jazz studies and conducting from Capital University Conservatory of Music and California State University, Los Angeles, Shirtz has served on the faculty for Capital University, American Music Academy, Terra State Community College and director in residence for Pellissippi State-Knoxville.

Currently, Shirtz is an active performer and leads the Michael Shirtz Quartet, conducts the Symphony Chorale with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra & School of Music, teaches with Heidelberg University’s School of Music & Theatre, and is a producer with Tri-C JazzFest & Performing Arts.