POTSDAM -- Potsdam Community Chorus turns to two celebrated 20th century French composers for its fall concert at 3 pm on Sunday, Nov. 20, in Hosmer Concert Hall, the Crane School of Music.

The chorus will perform Requiem, op. 9, by Maurice Duruflé, with organist Michelle Martin-Atwood and conductor Nils Klykken, both of the Crane faculty, and student soloists. Student conductors Nicholas Liminia and LB Wendelin will lead the chorus in Four Christmas Motets by Francis Poulenc.

All are welcome to attend this free performance. The chorus, now in its 17th year, welcomes donations to support its musical outreach programming. Its members come from communities across St. Lawrence County and beyond, and from local colleges and universities. Its musical director and conductor is Nils Klykken, DMA, Visiting Instructor at the Crane school.

Duruflé (1902-1986) was a composer, arranger and professor of harmony, and with his wife, a virtuoso performer on the organ. This arrangement of his Requiem for chorus and organ will feature Dr. Martin-Atwood on the Hosmer organ, in an exciting performance of the composer’s thrilling and fiendishly difficult score. Duruflé’s harmonies are richly complex, but his melodies are drawn from Gregorian chant.

Poulenc (1899-1963) was the most successful of the group of French composers known as “Les Six.” His Christmas motets celebrate the Christmas story, using texts from Gregorian chant. Again, the harmonies are rich and tuneful.

For more information contact Betsy Baker-Whitney, 265-3788 or 244-9299.