The Masterworks Chorale sings the Shepherd University Alma Mater on the Potomac Place lawn during Homecoming weekend. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — This Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., one of Shepherd University’s oldest artistic organizations will be marking its golden anniversary with a concert in the Frank Arts Center Theater.

Founded in 1974, the Masterworks Chorale is unique from other college organizations, in that only about half of its members are students, while the other half are Shepherd University faculty and staff members and community members from throughout the region.

“The Masterworks Chorale [is] marking 50 years of success at Shepherd this year! What a wonderful achievement,” said Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix on Oct. 18. “This organization has become a great cornerstone for the community over the years.

“The Masterworks Chorale is the Eastern Panhandle’s premiere vocal ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Jason Strunk,” Hendrix said. “This 70-voice ensemble, comprised of Shepherd University vocal students and members of the surrounding community, presents two full-length concerts per year of great masterpieces every year. We thank [them] for all sharing [their] talents with us!”

As its kickoff to its golden jubilee year, the Masterworks Chorale will be performing “The Works of John Rutter.” The concert will feature three works by the celebrated English composer, conductor and record producer John Rutter, who was knighted earlier this year for his musical successes by the United Kingdom’s monarch, Charles III.

“This fall concert will feature the music of Sir John Rutter,” said Masterworks Chorale’s new director, Jason Strunk. “We will be singing his Requiem, Missa Brevis and ‘Te Deum’ — three amazing works!”

The concert will begin with Rutter’s Requiem, which features a musical setting of parts of the Latin Requiem, along with psalms and biblical verses in English. Rutter’s Missa Brevis, on the other hand, is patterned after the Latin short mass, reflecting Rutter’s strong melodic sense and innate feeling for the sound of choral worship. Rutter’s “Te Deum” will end the concert program with a sense of jubilation, in the form of a hymn of praise.

“How exciting, that Masterworks has made it to 50 years! It’s quite an exciting anniversary that we’re celebrating together,” Strunk said, during a recent rehearsal for the concert. “Fifty years of greatness — that is quite momentous and certainly something worth celebrating!”

Tickets to the 90-minute concert may be purchased in-advance, at https://shepherdrams.universitytickets.com, or before the show at the box office, which is located in the Frank Arts Center lobby (260 University Drive in Shepherdstown). Parking is free and available in the adjacent parking lots.