Holland Chorale presents My Companion, exploring love’s complexities in music

This is part of the Shore Stories: Life Along the Lakeshore series, which includes columns by local and former residents about how people are making a difference along the Lakeshore.

The Holland Chorale will present the third main series concert of its 66th season, My Companion, on Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. at Harderwyk Ministries. 

The Chorale will give the Midwest premiere of a masterwork called This is How You Love, a multi-movement work that explores the depths of relationships – infatuation, need, companionship, conflict, compromise, and love. 

It is a challenging work and, now that we are coming closer to mastering it, I can begin to see what the composers had in mind while writing it. 

Having recently celebrated 50 years of marriage to the person I love most in this world, I have some understanding of the complexity and effort it takes to make a relationship not only work, but flourish. 

Husband and wife composers

This is How You Love was composed by husband and wife team Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach, who worked with transcripts from actual couples therapy sessions (names removed, of course!). 

Holland Chorale Artistic Director Philip Moody shared with me, “Everyone who comes will find a connection with something.” 

The composers will journey from Minneapolis to Holland and Grand Rapids, sharing a presentation at Aquinas College, working with singers during a rehearsal, and interacting with audience members during a preconcert discussion. 

For some, the journey with a significant other has reached its end. One piece, My Companion, will be dedicated to a Chorale member who recently lost his wife of 60-plus years. For those of us still here, we contemplate what it might be like at the end of our own life’s journey, hearing the angels singing, Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal. 

Moody programmed this concert around the different types of companionship, saying, “Music is always there, from when we celebrate to when we grieve. For me, music has been my constant companion throughout life, and I hope this concert allows you to reflect on the different companions you might have had, whether they are pets, people, or something else entirely.” 

And how can we know love without grace? Perhaps we have experienced amazing grace in our lives – from our companion, from friends and family, or from our creator. We will sing a gospel rendition of the classic hymn  Amazing Grace, which reaches something deep in my soul.

“Although many people associate the hymn with a reflection of life and how we can be redeemed after death,” says Moody, “it was originally written by a man who found himself in a terrible storm on the sea. He pleaded to God to save him from death and, after landing on shore, changed his life for the better.” 

My Companion is a pay-what-you-can concert, with a suggested ticket price of $20. We hope this opens the door to building relationships with new audience members and strengthening connections with our long-time supporters. Consider inviting a friend or family member to this concert to experience beautiful, soul-restoring music! Reserve a seat now at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=holch.

Dan Beerens is a member of the Holland Chorale, where he also serves on the board and chairs its Development Committee. A retired educational consultant, author, and international speaker, he previously held leadership roles in Christian education, including director of curriculum and instruction at Holland Christian Schools and senior fellow at the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education.