RADFORD -- Radford University’s Department of Music will present an oratorio concert on Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m., in Bondurant Auditorium, Preston Hall. “Haydn’s Missa in Tempori Belli” are two works reflecting the theme of war and will be directed by David Otis Castonguay.

Haydn's "Mass in Time of War,"  also called the "Paukenmesse" or "Kettle Drum Mass, are being performed by the university’s men’s chorus, women’s chorale ensemble, and madrigal singers, joined by members of the university orchestra.  This year is the 200th anniversary of Haydn's death. The piece was written with Napoleon's French army approaching the Austrian capital of Vienna.  The Roman Catholic Mass text concludes with the single statement "Lord, grant us peace."

The second work featured is Jeffery Van's "A Procession Winding Around Me."  This work for chamber choir and guitar will be performed by the university madrigal singers and student guitarist Andrea Walker.  Written for the Dale Warland Singers in 1993, it is a series of four Walt Whitman poems from the Civil War – By the Bivouac's Fitful Flame; Beat! Beat! Drums!; Look Down Fair Moon; and Reconciliation.