Iowa choir debuts new Whitacre piece

Now there is a new way to enjoy the classic children’s tale, “Goodnight Moon,” by Margaret Wise Brown.

A choral group in Mason City, Iowa, recently performed the world premiere of a choral arrangement based on the book. In March, the group will perform as part of a larger choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Eric Whitacre, the “Goodnight Moon” composer, will direct that performance. It’s not certain yet whether the choir will perform “Goodnight Moon” at the New York concert, said Dennis Lee, artistic director of the Mason City group.

Una Vocis Choral Ensemble, which formed in Mason City in 2005, connected two years ago with Whitacre, Lee said.