This year’s concert will feature a mixture of traditional and modern works in a program that will satisfy everyone
Come inside from the chill winter air and enjoy an evening of music with BYU’s four auditioned choirs on February 2. BYU Singers, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus will perform their annual Winter Choirfest concert in a display of choral variety.
Among the choirs’ repertoire, choral enthusiasts will find a program with a sampling of everything from sacred music to contemporary choral arrangements.
“There should be something that speaks to everyone,” said Men’s Chorus and Concert Choir director Brent Wells. “That’s always our hope.”
Under the direction of Andrew Crane, BYU Singers will perform “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, “Daniel, Servant of The Lord” arranged by Stacey Gibbs.
The Men’s Chorus will perform an arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “The Vagabond”—a setting of poetry by Robert Louis Stevenson. Bass-baritone and special guest Marques Ruff will accompany the chorus for this work as well as a gospel piece entitled “Cornerstone” as a soloist. The Men’s Chorus will also sing an arrangement of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation.”
During the performance, the Concert Choir will sing an excerpt from Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah. Based on the scripture found in 1 Kings 19:11-12, this work explores the peace found in the Lord. The choir will also sing a selection of composer Eric Whitacre’s “A Boy and A Girl,” based on the English translation of Octavio Paz’s poem. Together with BYU Singers, the choir will also sing “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” from Robert Gardner’s “Lamb of God.”
The Women’s Chorus, under Sonja Poulter’s direction, will perform Wells’ arrangement of “I Heard From Heaven Today,” Frank Ticheli’s “Earth Song” and Eric Whitacre’s “The Seal Lullaby.”
Singing together, the combined choirs will perform additional music from “Lamb of God” and a work composed by Eric Whitacre. This Choirfest performance will serve as a preview for some exciting future choral performances later in the semester.
In March, Eric Whitacre will visit the campus and direct his music with the combined choirs. And just in time for the Easter season, BYU Singers and Concert Choir will perform the full “Lamb of God” at the Eccles Theatre with Robert Gardner.
“We hope that the audience can experience and appreciate the level of precision and detail that each choir works towards in every piece,” said Crane. “Each song, though it may last only a few minutes, represents many hours of work by the students, conductors, composers, accompanists and more!”
“I hope the audience will feel entertained, educated, and edified,” added Poulter.
For ticket information, visit arts.byu.edu.