Claremont Presbyterian Church will present the premier performance of “Pandemic Requiem” next Sunday.

Geri DeMasi, director of music at the church, composed the new choral work to mark the losses the community has sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic. The church invited DeMasi to create the work as a way for the community to come together, not only to mourn all that has passed since March 2020, but also to look forward in hope, according to a news release.

Pandemic Requiem follows the traditional requiem form used by Verdi, Mozart, Britten, and other well-known composers.

DeMasi grew up in Claremont and is a graduate of both The Webb Schools and Pomona College. studying under Pomona professors William Blanchard, William F. Russell and Karl Kohn, as well as Wilbur Held. He has been the organist at Claremont Presbyterian Church for over 40 years.

Claremont Presbyterian’s Sanctuary Choir, led by guest conductor Ruth Charloff, will be joined by other singers from the community for this premier performance.

The free concert takes place Sunday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Avenue in Claremont.