“It’s been my pleasure to program works for Lehigh Choral Arts for the past 45 years. This concert is both a retrospective of some favorite works and features the premiere of ‘Strange Music,’” says Steven Sametz, the Ronald J. Ulrich Professor of Music at Lehigh University and Artistic Director of Lehigh University Choral Arts.

Lehigh University Choral Arts presents “The ‘Best of’ Concert,” 8 p.m. March 22 and 23, Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem.

Sametz is retiring at the end of the 2023-24 school term. He has done phenomenal work with students over his 45 years on the faculty, taking them to Asia, Europe and elsewhere.

In addition to this being his final concert with students, it includes a world premiere of his latest composition. His last concert for Lehigh is with the university’s community choir in May.

“Lehigh has been a place that fosters new choral music. In that spirit, this concert is both a retrospective of some favorite works and the premiere of ‘Strange Music,’” says Sametz.

“The work is inspired by my years-long experience with remarkable students of Lehigh and centers on the idea of identity: finding one’s true voice.

“I’ve had opportunity to observe many students grow in time at Lehigh, often through their musical experiences.

“The many facets of poetry in ‘Strange Music’ reflect some of the struggles, and victories, I’ve seen.

“Should I have a legacy at Lehigh, it will be the friendships and lasting memories of those I’ve been privileged to teach and collaborate with over my years at Lehigh.”

The program opens with the Lehigh University Choir and Alumni Singers’ performance of “Ritmas” by Robert Guzzon, a Lehigh University 2004 graduate, followed by “The Word Was God,” a musical word-painting of The Creation by Rosephanye Powell.

The Lehigh University Choir continues with three selections:

- Claude Debussy’s “Dieu! qu’il la fait bon regarder!” from “Three Chansons,” set to the medieval poetry of Charles, Duke of Orleans (1304-1465). It’s Debussy’s only composition for unaccompanied choir.

- Claudio Monteverdi’s “Si ch’lo vorrel morire” from his 1603 “Madrigals, Book 4,” and Reena Esmail’s “Tuttarana.” The latter is a conglomeration of two words: the Italian word “tutti” meaning “all” and “tarana” which designates a specific Hindustani musical form.

- Sametz’s “Strange Music,” a work for harp, clarinet, percussion, full choir, soprano and baritone soloists. Accompanying the work are dances led by Michael Spencer Phillips, Theodore O. Horger Artist-in-Residence and choreographer.

“Strange Music” is comprised of six movements. Each is based upon writings by G.K. Chesterton, writer, philosopher; Claude McKay, writer, poet; John Clare, poet; Edwin Arlington Robinson, poet, playwright, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet, playwright, composer, philosopher.

The second movement, “Reverie,” features soprano Marisa Karchin, a compelling performer of art song, opera and contemporary music. She is a doctoral student at The Juilliard School and a 2023-24 recipient of the Presser Award for her work with the chamber collective, the Glass Clouds Ensemble.

The fourth movement, “The Call,” features baritone Brian Chu. A specialist in oratorio repertoire, he has been a soloist with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Brandywine Baroque, Piffaro, Portland Baroque and the choir of Trinity Church Wall Street. He has taught on the voice faculty of Muhlenberg College for 18 years and previously taught at Lehigh University.

After intermission, Dolce, the Lehigh University Treble Ensemble, performs Elizabeth Alexander’s “Faith is the Bird that Feels the Light,” Jace Saplan’s “Aia la o Pele Hawai’i,” Moses Hogan’s “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves My Heart, William Bradbury’s “Angel Band” and the Appalachian tune, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

The Lehigh University Glee Club regales with Sametz’s “We Two Boys,” Felix Mendelssohn’s “Beati mortui, Panda Chant II,” Benjamin Britten’s” The Ballad of Lady Barnard and Little Musgrave” and Samet’s “Zinga!”

The University Choir continues with Jake Runestad’s “Let My Love Be Heard,” Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies.”

The University Choir and Alumni Singers close the program with Sametz’s arrangement of the Portuguese children’s tune, “Indo eu” and Margaret Pleasant Douroux’s “Follow Jesus.”

“During this semester, it has been such a gift to work alongside Steven [Sametz] while building this massive interdisciplinary work that is rooted by his beautiful score [‘Strange Music’],” says Phillips.

“Choreographing not only my dancers, but also the choir, has been an incredible opportunity that I have not had the chance to do before in my choreographic career.

“It’s so rare to do an ambitious project like this. Everyone at Lehigh University has been amazing in their dedication,” Phillips says.

“The ‘Best of’ Concert,” Lehigh University Choral Arts, 8 p.m. March 22, 23, Zoellner Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem; Tickets: box office; 610-758-2787 ext. 0; https://zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com