Cantata composed by Nathan Fryml to be performed by Amarillo Symphony

The Amarillo Symphony’s season-long centennial celebration continues Feb. 23-24 not only with Gustav Mahler’s soulful Fifth Symphony, but with an exciting new composition by Dr. Nathan Fryml of the Amarillo College music faculty.

Fryml, an associate professor of music who serves as director of choral activities at AC and also as director of the Amarillo Master Chorale, was commissioned by the Symphony to compose a piece for the centennial season. The result is Novae Laudis, a cantata of just over 15 minutes in duration, a euphonious blending of the Symphony and the Master Chorale.

According to notes in the Symphony program, Novae Laudis is Latin that can roughly be rendered in English as “of new praise,” and the piece features a celebratory anthem of thanks and a musical reflection that dwells on the nature of praise itself.

“When I was invited to do this I was overwhelmed,” Fryml said. “I’m so excited to be a part of the Symphony’s centennial celebration. For them to go out of their way to include choral music and Amarillo College in a big season like this is huge, and I’m grateful.

“Joy and gratitude are the embodiment of the spirit of my piece.”

Both performances (Friday and Saturday) of Mahler’s masterwork and Fryml’s cantata will be conducted by George Jackson and begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, a free dress rehearsal is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22.

Novae Laudis will precede Mahler’s masterwork in each nightly performance, including at the dress rehearsal.

Fryml, who holds degrees from Furman University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, completed his terminal degree in choral music at the University of Southern California, with dissertation research focused on cantatas by Antonín Dvorák. He joined the AC faculty in 2016.

Passionate about music ministry, Fryml has also served as a church music director, band leader, and keyboardist.