Stambaugh Chorus will perform Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” at its fifth “Giving Voice to Peace” concert on Sunday at Austintown’s St. Joseph Parish.

The chorus, led by Hae-Jong Lee, will be joined by the Dana Chorale, Thiel College Choir, Voices of Youngstown State University, Franklin High School Choir and Canfield Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir to create an ensemble with more than 90 voices. The singers will be accompanied by more than 20 musicians in its Stambaugh Festival Orchestra.

The chorus performed the North American premiere of Jenkins’ Mass in 2013. It was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum for the millennial celebrations in 1999-2000.

Lee said the 13-movement piece was written to reflect on a millennium filled with war in hopes of launching a millennium of peace. As anyone who has read the headlines knows, that wish hasn’t come true.

“The first time (in 2013) it was a really emotional experience for the people who came and the performers,” Lee said.

The need for peace extends beyond wars in Ukraine and Gaza to the gun violence in the United States.”

“We really want to promote peace, and no other piece can emotionally and musically influence the audience (in the same way),” he said.

Lee described Jenkins’ composition as an inclusive work that draws from a wide range of influences, from melodies familiar to Christian churchgoers to a Muslim call to prayer, and from the writing of Rudyard Kipling to a description of the impact of the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II.

“It’s more powerful because it is inclusive,” Lee said.

The musical performance will be accompanied by a film created by Hefin Owen that was first shown in conjunction with the Mass in 2007.

“I’m really eager to share this music with entire community,” he said.

While donations will be accepted at Sunday’s concert, admission is free and open to the public.

“We want to have as many people come and enjoy the concert and hear the message,” he said.

The chorus doesn’t do a peace concert every year. Sometimes they do concerts in consecutive years; other times they do it every other year or every three years. But Lee already is thinking about the next one

“Next year I’m thinking about concert for saving the environment,” he said. “That could be another way of promoting peace. If we don’t save nature, the environment, we will all collapse.”

If you go …

WHAT: “Giving Voice to Peace V” – Stambaugh Chorus and Stambaugh Festival Orchestra with Dana Chorale, Thiel College Choir, Voices of YSU, Franklin High School Choir and Canfield Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir

WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: St. Joseph Parish, 4545 New Road, Austintown

HOW MUCH: Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.