BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State University Concert Choir invites the community to a performance set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Featured works will include Leonard Bernstein’s three-movement masterpiece “Chichester Psalms,” British composer Will Todd’s “Stabat Mater” and Dan Forrest’s “I Thank You God.”

“This concert is a lovely mix of pathos and joy,” said Laura Diddle, the Paul E. and Doris J. Moriarty endowed professor of Choral Activities at SDSU. “From the desolation of ‘Stabat Mater,’ a text recalling the suffering of Mary as she stood at the cross of Jesus, to the sheer joy of new life and rebirth using E.E. Cummings’ text in ‘I Thank You God,’ the listener will experience a kaleidoscope of sound and energy. The choir moves emotionally from darkness to light. In in a way it mirrors the stark and welcome transition from winter into spring.”

This concert features organist/pianist Angela Hertling on a new three-rank organ; Aaron Ragsdale, professor and director of percussion studies, on a battery of percussion; and Omaha native Katie Wychulis on harp.

The concert is being held at St. Thomas More specifically for use of the three-rank organ (three keyboards and a pedal board) and for space needs.

There are two special features in the 60-minute concert: the 20-minute masterwork by Bernstein and the Forrest selection. Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms includes recognizable Bernstein compositional techniques.

“If you liked West Side Story,” Diddle said, “you’ll hear some of that. If you enjoy his jazz techniques and crunchy chords, you’ll hear that, too. It’s a fantastic energetic choral piece showing the best of Bernstein.”

Forrest’s “I Thank You God” again features Hertling on piano and a local string quintet made up of members from the South Dakota State Civic Orchestra.

“I selected this piece as a thank you gift to our dear friends, Paul and Doris Moriarty,” Diddle said.

Last April, the Moriartys awarded Diddle and SDSU’s School of the Performing Arts the generous gift of the Endowed Director of Choral Activities.

“We, in the choral area, and the School of the Performing Arts, are so very grateful to the Moriartys,” Diddle said. “I can think of no better way to thank them than to select this beautiful piece for the choir to perform for them. The choir loves this glorious piece and sings with the strings in a cascade of joy and exuberance from beginning to end. It’s our pleasure and honor to offer this to the Moriartys in thanks for their selfless gift.”

For more information, contact the SDSU School of Performing Arts at 605-688-5187.