2008 Woodie Awards
Choir, Chorale anticipate best performance of year
Last major production 'has something for everyone'
Susan Pruitt
Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Fine Arts
- Page 1 of 1
The USA Concert Choir and Chorale will perform their last major production this semester on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. The performance will be conducted by Dr. Joe Pendleton, director of choral activities for USA.
This production will feature the Concert Choir performing Franz Joseph Haydn's "Third Mass" and the Chorale performing pieces from several different composers.
After departing from writing sacred music, Haydn was inspired to return after hearing some of Handel's sacred music in 1796. At this time, he wrote his famous "Six Great Masses." Thus, Haydn's Third Mass acquired its title. This Mass has also been called "Mass in Time of Fear" because Haydn was inspired to write it during the time of Napoleon's threat on Austria.
When asked why this mass was chosen to be performed, Pendleton said that after performing Hayden's "Creation" last spring, the department has really "begun to understand Hayden's style. This piece was very accessible and enjoyable for those involved."
"This mass has something for everyone. … It has soft, slow sections contrasting the loud, fast sections," Paul Roper, a soloist in the concert, said. Pendleton shared in this enthusiasm when he expressed his excitement about "reintroducing Hayden's sacred music."
The Chorale will be performing pieces by Claude Debussy, Josquin des Prez and Mack Willberg. "This section of music will lighten the mood a little, seeing as the Mass is so intense, with exciting runs and brilliant sequencing throughout," Chorale accompanist Angela Moody said.
Roper also says that "the Chorale has a surprise song up their sleeves that adds comic relief to the concert."
This production will be one of the first to feature all USA student soloists, as well as a student Choir accompanist, Zach Fellman. Pendleton says that he is excited about the students' opportunities to "step forward and perform."
Moody speaks of her love for collaborating with other musicians.
"It just heightens the musical and emotional experience all the more. … It has always been an excitement and thrill to perform with USA's elite choral group," she said.
Pendleton echoed Moody's comment when he said that he "doesn't know of another University at our level that has had such great success with student accompanists."
The performance will end with Jack Holloran's "Witness." This is a spiritual piece that tells stories like those of Nicodemus and Samson and Delilah.
"It is going to be the best of the year. It has been anticipated by the Choir and Chorale because we have worked on it this whole semester," Roper said.
Pendleton speaks of how this production has "consumed the semester," and he expects it to be an "exemplary" performance.
This production will feature the Concert Choir performing Franz Joseph Haydn's "Third Mass" and the Chorale performing pieces from several different composers.
After departing from writing sacred music, Haydn was inspired to return after hearing some of Handel's sacred music in 1796. At this time, he wrote his famous "Six Great Masses." Thus, Haydn's Third Mass acquired its title. This Mass has also been called "Mass in Time of Fear" because Haydn was inspired to write it during the time of Napoleon's threat on Austria.
When asked why this mass was chosen to be performed, Pendleton said that after performing Hayden's "Creation" last spring, the department has really "begun to understand Hayden's style. This piece was very accessible and enjoyable for those involved."
"This mass has something for everyone. … It has soft, slow sections contrasting the loud, fast sections," Paul Roper, a soloist in the concert, said. Pendleton shared in this enthusiasm when he expressed his excitement about "reintroducing Hayden's sacred music."
The Chorale will be performing pieces by Claude Debussy, Josquin des Prez and Mack Willberg. "This section of music will lighten the mood a little, seeing as the Mass is so intense, with exciting runs and brilliant sequencing throughout," Chorale accompanist Angela Moody said.
Roper also says that "the Chorale has a surprise song up their sleeves that adds comic relief to the concert."
This production will be one of the first to feature all USA student soloists, as well as a student Choir accompanist, Zach Fellman. Pendleton says that he is excited about the students' opportunities to "step forward and perform."
Moody speaks of her love for collaborating with other musicians.
"It just heightens the musical and emotional experience all the more. … It has always been an excitement and thrill to perform with USA's elite choral group," she said.
Pendleton echoed Moody's comment when he said that he "doesn't know of another University at our level that has had such great success with student accompanists."
The performance will end with Jack Holloran's "Witness." This is a spiritual piece that tells stories like those of Nicodemus and Samson and Delilah.
"It is going to be the best of the year. It has been anticipated by the Choir and Chorale because we have worked on it this whole semester," Roper said.
Pendleton speaks of how this production has "consumed the semester," and he expects it to be an "exemplary" performance.
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