The Sunderman Conservatory of Music hosted the Spring Choral Concert in Christ Chapel on April 13. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)By Kenzie Smith, Arts & Entertainment Editor
On Saturday, The Sunderman Conservatory of Music hosted the Spring Choral Concert in Christ Chapel at 8 p.m. This concert, which featured Camerata, Gettysburg College Choir and Concert Choir was a culmination of all the choirs’ hard work this past semester.
The first group of the night to take the stage was Concert Choir, conducted by Adjunct Assistant Professor Dave Bowman and accompanied by Mr. Tim Foster on piano. Their first piece was a soft tune titled “There Was a Tim” by Elaine Hagenberg. The upbeat Cuban Folk Song, “Son de Camaguey,” arranged by Stephen Hatfield, followed. There was no piano accompaniment for this piece as instead, it featured Veysel Yilmaz ’24, Aris Corman-O’Reilly ’27, Kacy Hartmann ’27 and Alice Broadway ’14 on percussion. Concert Choir finished their set with Brandom Williams’ “Seeking Light,” which featured soloist Evie Ramirez ’26.
Next to take the stage was Camerata, an eight-person choir conducted by Associate Professor Susan Hochmiller. Camerata’s performance began with Max Reger’s “Das Agnus Dei.” Next, they sang John Tavener’s “The Lamb,” which used dissonance and harmony to create an eerie tune. Kirby Shaw’s “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” followed. The final song for this section of the concert was an upbeat and jazzy tune by Peter Gritton titled “Tea for Two.”
Camerata is an eight-person choir conducted by Associate Professor Susan Hochmiller. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
The next group to perform was Gettysburg College Choir, conducted by Visiting Assistant Professor Kyle J. Weary and accompanied by Dr. Scott Crown on piano. Their first piece was Susan LeBarr’s “My Very Own.” Next, the choir performed René Clausen’s “Jabberwocky,” a dynamic piece that showcased their hard work and talent. This song contained fast-paced powerful sections, with sound filling the whole chapel, only to be coupled by much softer and slower sections.
Next, Gettysburg College Choir performed acapella, a heartfelt rendition of Cohen’s “Hallelujah” with arrangement by Sperry, which featured soloists Thomas Lynch ’24, Troy Ayado ’24, Elliott Wakefield ’26, Devyn Wesolowski ’25, Sydney Topoleski ’27 and Aztlani Maguffee ’25. Jake Runestad’s “A Silence Haunts Me” followed. The final song for this portion of the concert was Dan Forrest’s “Dance of Exultation,” which featured Christian Keller ’27 on organ.
Numerous pieces features solos and accompaniments. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
There was a brief pause in the performance to honor the seniors in the choirs as well as seniors who are a part of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music.
The final piece of the concert was “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass” with music by Carol Barnett and text by Marisha Chamberlain. All of the choirs took the stage to perform this song, which is characterized by its mix of classical and bluegrass music and techniques. This piece contained twelve movements, including “Ballad: Refrain,” “Kyrie,” “Ballad: First Verse,” “Gloria,” “Ballad: Second Verse & Refrain,” “Credo,” “Sanctus,” “Ballad: Third and Fourth Verses,” “Agnus Dei,” “Art Thou Weary,” “Benediction” and “Conclusion.” This song featured numerous soloists including, Syd Topoleski ’27, Maren Carter ’27, Adela Holahan ’24, Scott Myers ’27, Katy Else ’24, Marissa Duggan ’24, Katie Lauriello ’25, Katie Poliero ’25, Evan Hilborn ’25 and Libby Drew ’24.
Gettysburg College Choir member Leah Nath ’26 reflected on the show: “It was really rewarding to hear all of our hard work come together in the chapel and give the music the full performance that it deserves.”
Camerata and Gettysburg College Choir member Evan Hilborn ’25 added, “It was a great concert with tons of music! I was impressed by how much work we got done, and it was so much fun to learn music in new ways with Dr. Hochmiller and Dr. Weary!”
The concert was the culmination of all the choirs’ hard work this past semester. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
This concert featured Camerata, Gettysburg College Choir and Concert Choir. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
