The Jefferson Choral Society will present an oratorio, "Mary, the Mother of Jesus" Saturday at Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta, and Sunday at 4 p.m. at Heritage United Methodist Church in Lynchburg. The performance will feature a 30-piece orchestra, 80-member chorus and three professional soloists,

"Mary, the Mother of Jesus" was composed by its music director, Aaron Garber of Salem, to a text by Richard Bansemer, retired bishop of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

The work is based on passages gathered by Bansemer from the Bible concerning Mary, the mother of Jesus.

"I feel she is too often basically ignored, especially in the Protestant churches, rather than being revered as a wonderful example of a faithful follower," he said.

Bansemer turned the Mary texts into the libretto for a 90-minute oratorio that he said expresses the meaning of her life to modern audiences.

Bansemer took the libretto to Garber, who had previously set his oratorio "Job," which premiered in 2004. Garber agreed to compose "Mary, the Mother of Jesus" for full orchestra, and the Salem Choral Society premiered the finished work in May 2006.

Wirtz resident Tara Bouknight, wife of the Rev. Philip Bouknight, associate minister at Trinity, sang the role of Mary in 2006 and will sing it again this weekend. Additional soloists will be soprano Amanda Pauley and tenor Christopher Swanson.

"I think this is a work that more people should have the opportunity to experience. It's a beautiful piece," said Bouknight, "Many audience members told me after the premiere that it affected their lives. People said it gave them a new perspective on Mary, and said how poignant it was."

Garber said his work has struck an emotional chord with those who have heard it.

"People who have had tragedies in their lives identify with it. Men as well as women. It's certainly the most emotional piece I have ever conducted," said Garber.

Tickets for "Mary, the Mother of Jesus" can be purchased at Artfully Framed at the Lake, The Forum at Westlake, 13699 Booker T. Washington Highway; The General Store, 213 Scruggs Road, The Little Gallery, Bridgewater Plaza, Moneta.

Additional sites are: Hill House Interiors, Amherst; Miller's Jewelry, Altavista; and Arthur's Jewelry in Bedford and Wyndhurst.

Information about tickets can be obtained by calling the JCS office at (434) 528-5700 or at www.jeffersonchoralsociety.com.

DOCKSIDE