The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale will perform its spring concerts on Saturday, March 27, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 28, at 3 p.m. during Palm Sunday at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. The group will be joined by Jackson and Almeda Berkey, two of the members of?Mannheim Steamroller.

COEUR d'ALENE - Contemporary sacred music is on tap for Holy Week.

The Northwest Sacred Music Chorale will perform its spring concerts on Saturday, March 27, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 28, at 3 p.m. during Palm Sunday at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. The group will be joined by Jackson and Almeda Berkey, two of the members of?Mannheim Steamroller.

"It's meant to be performed on Palm Sunday or Easter because it talks about the time preceding and after Jesus' death," said John Lemke, the chorale's artistic director. "Anybody who has enjoyed Mannheim Steamroller over the years would enjoy this music."

Mannheim Steamroller, co-founded by Jackson Berkey, is known primarily for its modern recordings of Christmas music and its "Fresh Aire" series of albums. The group has sold 28 million albums in the U.S. alone.

Jackson will play the keyboards and Almeda will conduct as the chorale performs Jackson's Easter cantata "Come Follow Me."

"We have never attempted an event of this nature, but we are confident that it will benefit the community," said Nate Jolley of the chorale.

Jackson's New York Town Hall debut in 1969 launched a varied career that has included being a pianist, composer, producer and recording artist. He was first known as a touring pianist for the Norman Luboff Choir. He has recorded and toured as the featured keyboard artist with Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller for the past 30 years.

Jackson has a degree from New York's Juilliard School and his music foundation lies in the sacred, classical and chamber genre.

Local soloists to perform in the concert include Lemke, playing the role of Peter; Max Mendez, the role of Jesus; and Andrea Lyman will portray Mary.

"We want to put in some variety," Lemke said. "We want to keep people exposed to traditional sacred music, otherwise it just gets lost if it's not performed. The audience is exposed to classics, but gets to hear contemporary, fun stuff. Almost everything we'll do will be contemporary.

"We're very cognizant about mixing things up. We're a choir and it's very unusual for us to feature a set within one of our concerts."

The concert is billed as a "powerful introduction to Holy Week for the entire family."

The event will also feature winners of the chorale's Young Artists Competition. Those include Graeme Lauer (bass), a Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy senior, and Kate Johnson (mezzo-soprano), a Coeur d'Alene Charter junior.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Information: www.nwsmc.org

Tickets can be purchased online or at First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene, Northwest Academy of Music, Great Harvest Bread Co. and Hoffman Music in Spokane.

The chorale also puts on a concert in the fall and during Christmas.

Concert details

Where: Kroc Center

When: Saturday, March 27, 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 28, 3 p.m.

Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors and students

Tickets: www.nwsmc.org, Great Harvest Bread Co., Northwest Academy of Music, First Presbyterian Church-Coeur d’Alene, Hoffman Music-Spokane