Mosaic, A Fall Choral Concert at Southern Utah University

Published: October 03, 2011 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Appropriately named, "Musical Mosaic," the fall choral concert will feature a wide selection of musical styles for nearly everyone’s taste. The performances will be by OPUS and Concert Choir, both under the direction of Dr. Kevin Baker, and Les Chansons, the Women’s Choir, directed by Sara Guttenberg.

Musical Mosaic will be held Saturday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater off Cedar City's Main Street.

The evening will start out with the entirety of the choral program members performing a traditional welcoming song taken from the Maori people of New Zealand. "Kua Rongo Mai Koe by Ngapo Wehi," arranged by Eddie Quaid, is an exciting and rhythmical chant that is developed into a full harmonic setting. The choir will be joined by percussion players from the studio of Dr. Lynn Vartan.

The Concert Choir will perform several selections from a variety of styles and genres. Of note are Claudio Monteverdi’s "Cantate Domino" for six voice parts, two of Cecil Effinger’s settings of poems by Thomas Hornsby Ferril, "No Mark and Basket," which will be accompanied by Dr. Virginia Stitt on oboe, and finally, one of Moses Hogan’s most beloved works, "Elijah Rock." A rousing modern spiritual, the work has been a favorite of audiences and performers alike since its premier.

OPUS will also offer some interesting and varied literature. Monteverdi’s "Beatus Vir" will be accompanied by members of the SUU orchestra. "Ave Maris Stella" by Trond Kverno is a modern rendition of a traditional Latin text. Using both dissonance and consonance the work is an interesting and well-composed work and should be both thought-provoking and enjoyable. OPUS will close the performance with a humorous and fun foray into comic opera choruses. "Neighbors Chorus" by Jacques Offenbach taken from La jolie Parfumeuse tells the story of gossipy neighbors and the motives behind their interest in others' lives.

Les Chansons will be performing a diverse program as well. Their selections include "Herbstlied" by Felix Mendelssohn with lyrics from a poem by Karl Klingemann, two sections of the "Five Canzonets" by Daniel Pinkham (#2 The Blossom and #3 Daybreak), and the Gospel tune "I'm Goin' Up a Yonder" by Walter Hawkins, arranged by Martin Sirvatka.

This enchanting program of eclectic songs will prove to be a memorable evening of great music presented by the SUU Department of Music. For more information on the SUU College of Performing and Visual Arts events, please call the Arts Hotline at 435-865-8800 or visit suu.edu/arts.

All tickets are general admission and tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for SUU Faculty and Staff, and $3 for students and children. SUU students attend free with a valid student ID.

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Contact Information:

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