The centerpiece of the performance is Paul Basler’s “Missa Kenya,” written for chorus and tenor, with piano, horn and percussion accompaniment.  John Boden, principal horn player for the Portland Symphony Orchestra, is slated to perform the horn solo.

Basler, who spent time studying in Kenya, entwines the liturgical Latin of the Christian mass with indigenous techniques and a haunting horn performance to paint a musical picture of Africa. The compositional style of “Missa Kenya” features incorporates 20th century American classical techniques and those based solely on East African tradition.

In contrast to the cutting edge of the first part of the program, the second half is a potpourri of old favorites, pop classics, Broadway and opera.  “All That Jazz” from Broadway’s “Chicago,” a medley of George Gershwin classics, and “Zion’s Walls” by Aaron Copland are contrasted with the haunting “Va Pensiero” (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi’s opera “Nabucco” and the Simon and Garfunkel pop classic, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Finally, the close harmonies of “Danny Boy” and the timeless poetry of Robert Burns’s  “Oh, My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose” round out the program.

 The Tri-City Community Chorus is a group of 70 dedicated singers who hail from a number of area cities and towns including Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.  Directed by Matthew Murray and accompanied by Denise Calkins, the chorus  performs two concerts a year.

Advance tickets for the concert are available at Hannaford in Biddeford, Stone Soup Artisans in Saco and from chorus members.  Advance ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children, while at the door they will be $12, $10 and $5, respectively.