Story by Natalie Hendricks
Continuing the tradition of collaborating choirs, the Chamber Choir and Concert Choir make their debut with a guest appearance from the Colorado State University Concert Orchestra on Friday, March 3. The performance presented by the School of Music, Theatre and Dance takes place at 7:30 p.m., in the Griffin Concert Hall.
This will be choir directors Ryan Olsen and James Kim’s fourth year working together to create a combined choir performance. This year they again have added a special twist by inviting CSU’s Concert Orchestra as guests, with conductor Leslie Stewart at the helm.
The students will perform a well-known piece by Antonio Vivaldi called Gloria. This piece is from the Baroque era, first performed in 1708. Gloria is normally broken up into multiple movements when performed, but the orchestra and choir are proud to announce that they are performing the full 30-minute repertoire for the audience.
‘Mini-masterwork’
“Our mission is to perform a ‘mini-masterwork’ from music history that is around 30 minutes in duration,” said Olsen.
With multiple solos and duets, the movement is moving and emotional.
“Many students have never performed this piece in its entirety, so we thought it would be important to present the full piece on campus,” he added.
The three classes work together to create an exhilarating performance ranging in emotions. They are presenting an intellectually informed performance that Vivaldi would expect to hear.
The extensive preparation the two choirs and orchestra have been taking in effect is well worth the performance. The piece is not the typical modern style Baroque work one would expect, as the movements are light and have more of a separated style of vocalization with a sense of decay when singing.
“The audience will hear terrific a capella music sung by some of the best musicians at CSU,” explained Kim.
Prep work
In preparation, the students have been analyzing and listening to major orchestras like the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra and the Academy of St. Martin in the fields, reflecting and adapting their styles in their own performance.
“Dr. James Kim… is a Baroque expert and has been helping us with the style,” Olsen said.
The talent highlights not only music majors, but majors from every department throughout campus, featuring a student chorus, a full student orchestra and student soloists.
“It is important for us to showcase that everyone on campus is able to make music at CSU, not just the music majors,” said Olsen. “Make time to fuel this passion in your life, and you will find that there is still time for everything else, because music teaches us how to focus, practice and work more productively in our lives.”
The choirs and orchestra’s collaboration will keep you intrigued and engaged as the two perform the lighter style of Baroque. Recreating one of the most cherished and quintessential pieces from this era, the students will not leave you disappointed.
Ticket information
Tickets for the performance are no charge for full-fee paying CSU students, $1 for youth (under 18), and $12 for the public. Tickets are available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby Monday through Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to performances, by phone at (970) 491-ARTS (2787), or online at www.CSUArtsTickets.com.
