Mosaic Vocal Ensemble Performing ‘Time and Timeless’ on April 17

This is a press release from the Mosaic Vocal Ensemble:

Mosaic Vocal Ensemble, led by artistic director Rachel Samet, will present a unique and inspiring choral program, “Time and Timeless,” at the beautiful Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka. There will be two performances, one on Friday, April 17^th at 7:30 p.m. and the other on Sunday, April 19th at 4:00 p.m. Tickets will be available for $20 at the door.

The upcoming concert features music that has stood the test of time over centuries as well as music that explores the concept of time itself. The program begins in the Middle Ages with “O Virtus Sapientiae,” a chant composed by the twelfth century nun and mystic Hildegard von Bingen. Two Italian sacred works follow, “Adoramus te, Christe” by Renaissance choral master Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and “Elohim Hashivenu” by early Baroque Jewish composer Salamone Rossi. The special qualities of nighttime are evoked with the harmonically rich “Abendlied” by German Romantic composer Josef Rheinberger and Antonio Estévez’s “Mata del anima sola,” which conveys the mystery of the Venezuelan plains at night. The preciousness of time is explored in terms of the cycle of life with Clair T. McElfresh’s “Jenny Rebecca,” which pays homage to a newborn, and Grammy-nominated composer Jake Runestad’s “Let My Love be Heard,” which is a moving expression of love after death.

The second half of the program shifts gears with the rhythmic urgency of “Time” by Los Angeles-based composer Jennifer Lucy Cook. Latvian composer Eriks Esenvalds provides a balm with his soothing setting of Sara Teasdale’s “Only in Sleep.” “Wanting Memories” by Sweet Honey in the Rock’s Ysaÿe Barnwell reminisces about time with family, and Adam Podd’s arrangement of Bob Dylan’s classic tune “The Times, They are A-Changin’” is fresh and poignant. The concert closes with Brian Tate’s perspective on the illusory nature of time with the upbeat “You Can’t Step Twice.”

A DreamMaker Program of The Ink People, Mosaic Vocal Ensemble was founded by Rachel Samet in 2025 as a place for experienced choral singers who wish to rehearse and perform high quality choral music for Humboldt audiences. Many of the singers are professional musicians, while others are highly experienced choral singers who have a passion for choral music and possess strong musical skills. Mosaic Vocal Ensemble is quickly becoming known as one of the top musical ensembles in Humboldt, and audience members have come to expect creative and meaningful programs. Regarding the upcoming concert Samet says, “It was fun to put together a program that explores the idea of time. Our perspectives on time affect how we live our everyday lives, how we relate to others, and how we choose to spend the limited time we have on earth. And it’s been very exciting to have the opportunity to explore a variety of music over such a huge span of time (eight centuries) with talented singers who fully embrace each style. We are so excited to share this program with an audience!”

Samet is quite active in the choral community in and outside of Humboldt. As the Director of Choirs at Cal Poly Humboldt, she works with more than one hundred singers every semester, including dozens of community singers with the 120 members strong Humboldt Chorale. Additionally, she directs two other choirs at Cal Poly: University Singers and Mad River Transit Singers. She has served as an adjudicator and guest conductor for choral festivals throughout California and around the United States. Last summer she took thirty Humboldt community and student singers to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, where they all participated in a performance in which Samet conducted Mozart’s “Regina Coeli.”

Samet feels that choral music is especially important right now. “Many people are suffering at this time, and choral music brings people together. I aim to create programs that explore the human condition, tell meaningful stories, and uplift spirits, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share Mosaic Vocal Ensemble’s unique program with an audience.”

Title: Mosaic Vocal Ensemble – Time and Timeless

Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: Christ Episcopal Church, Corner of H & 15th Streets, Eureka

Price: $20 at the door