By Town Crier Staff Report

Schola Cantorum, the Mountain View-based community choir, opens its 2001-2002 concert season this weekend with “Majestic Masses.”

The concert features two famous works from the classical choral music repertoire: Mozart’s “Coronation Mass” and Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War.”

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m., Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto and 7 p.m., Sunday, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga.

The Saturday performance is preceded by a free pre-concert “Preludes” lecture at 7:15 p.m.

Mozart’s “Coronation Mass” was written in 1779 for a performance at Salzburg Cathedral. The work features lyrical textures and operatic overtones.

Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War” was written in 1796, around the time of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

Also known as the “Paukenmesse” or “drum” mass, the work features foreboding trumpet fanfares and timpani motifs which contrast with the symphonic expressiveness of the chorus and orchestra.

The concert, conducted by Schola Music Director Gregory Wait, will also feature acclaimed Bay Area soloists Twyla Whittaker (soprano), Janet Steen Campbell (mezzo-soprano), Brian Staufenbiel (tenor) and Kenneth Goodson (baritone).

Tickets are $22 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students and children. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

To order tickets, call the Schola Cantorum office at 254-1700.

For maps to the concert locations and more information, visit Schola’s Web site at www.scholacantorum.org.

Founded in 1964, Schola Cantorum is recognized as one of the region’s leading adult choral ensembles, presenting a wide variety of choral music and music education programs.

For more information on Schola, logon to its Web site or call the Schola office.