The seasons tend to figure prominently among composers who wrote art songs in the 19th century. That was something Michael Chipman wanted to take advantage of when planning the upcoming Westminster Concert Series concert.

“This is going to be really great and not at all like a lot of concerts that are done around here,” Chipman told Reichel Recommends.

Michael Chipman

He said that he wanted to do a “traditional salon style concert” that featured the five voice faculty members. “We bounced ideas around for a theme and came up with the four seasons.” He added that finding repertoire was easy. “There are a lot of art songs on the seasons.” But not every single selection will deal directly with one of the times of the year. “Some of these songs reference a season or even just evoke a season.”

The five had free rein to pick the pieces, and Chipman and his four colleagues will sing at least one song for each season.

One of the songs Chipman will sing is Franz Schubert’s “Im Abendrot,” a particular favorite of his. “There is no exact translation, but it means ‘the red of evening’ and I always associate it with the beautiful red sunsets we have here in winter. It’s such an evocative piece.”

Schubert and other 19th century German composers wrote quite a few art songs. But Monday’s program won’t be devoted exclusively to them. “There will be a lot of contrast,” Chipman promised. While there will be some pieces by the well known art song composers, there will be a wider range of musical styles and periods represented. “Some [songs] will be well known but there will also be some that are off the beaten path, including a few never heard here before.” But they all have one thing in common. “They are all beautiful works.”

Among the lesser known selections will be pieces by Sergei Rachmaninov (“Son,” op. 38); César Cui (“L’hiver”); Barbara Strozzi (“Che si puo fare”); and Arthur Shepherd (“April”). There will also be songs by Samuel Barber, Kurt Weill and Charles Ives, along with pieces by Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Gabriel Fauré.

A few ensemble works are also on the program: The Prayer Duet from Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel; Ralph Vaughan Williams duet “Dirge for Fidele;” and the last of Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer.

“It’s interesting to see how different composers approach the seasons,” Chipman said. “There is a variety of compositional styles and the songs reflect this variability.”

Joining Chipman will be sopranos Cheryl Hart and Shana Osterloh; mezzo-soprano Aubrey Adams-McMillan; and tenor Brian Stucki. They’ll be accompanied by pianists Karlyn Bond and Emily Williams. “I’m excited to be working with my colleagues,” Chipman said. “I think the world of them.”

The concert should have a lot of appeal for the audience, not only for its intimacy but also for its content, Chipman said. “People will enjoy this concert. The program is eclectic and fresh.”

• CONCERT DETAILS
• What: “Four Seasons of Song”
• Venue: Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College
• Time and Date: 8 p.m. April 7
• Tickets: $15 general, free for students with ID
• Phone: 801-832-2457
• Web: www.westminstercollege.edu/culturalevents