Requiem in E minor by Javier Márquez-Guererro '09

The University Chamber Orchestra and the University Chorus join forces to present the premier of "Requiem in E Minor" by music alumni Javier Márquez-Guererro '09. The chorus will include singers from the North Shore community. The composition was started while Márquez-Guererro was a student at Salem State and was his first large-scale composition for chorus and orchestra. Personal losses and the Covid-19 pandemic brought him back to this early work for revisions and now an opportunity to premier the piece as part of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Music Major. The composition incorporates the traditional Latin requiem text. The concert will be conducted by professor Mary-Jo Grenfell. Professor Holly Zagaria led the preparation of all vocal elements. This concert takes place at Salem High School, 77 Willson Street. Admission is free. Donations at the door are welcome to support the work of Salem State music. BIOGRAPHY Javier Márquez is an Everett, Massachusetts-based composer, Music Director/Worship Leader at the First Baptist Church of Salem, and Music Director at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Originally from the Dominican Republic and a self- taught musician, Javier is a graduate of Salem State University and UMass (Amherst), with degrees in music and composition. Javier loves to share his gift of music with others in numerous ways, notably and most recently with the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a prolific composer of instrumental and vocal music. Currently, Javier lives in Everett and works in Lynn as the Program Director at North Shore Adult Day Health Center. For access and accommodation information, visit https://www.salemstate.edu/access or email access@salemstate.edu.