EUGENE, Ore. – The Lane Concert Choir, the Lane Chamber Choir and the Lane Gospel Choir will perform on March 6 at Lane Community College. The concert is set for 7:30pm in the Ragozzino Performance Hall on the Lane Community College Main Campus. Tickets for the concert are $5 general admission, and $3 for students and seniors 55 and over.
The Concert Choir, Under the direction of Kathryn Reuter will be performing "El Dia Es Hoy" - by Paul Basler (b. 1963). "The Gartan Mother's Lullaby" - Irish folk song arranged by Neil Ginsberg (b. 1969) and "City Called Heaven" - arranged by Josephine Poelinitz.
"El Dia Es Hoy" (The Day is Today) is the fourth movement of Cantos Alegres (Joyful Songs). The poems used in Cantos Alegres (all in Spanish), chosen by the composer, are by the young California artist Gabriel Navar. An interesting and very important aspect of Navar's creative work is that each poem has a corresponding painting with the same title. A common thread runs through all nine poems - that of a love greater than all other loves. "El Dia Es Hoy" is a playful, neo-punk setting with a quirky accompaniment by piano and percussion.
"The Gartan Mother's Lullaby" is a traditional melody from the Irish county of Donegal, first published in 1904. The gift of Irish imagery is fully evident in the songs they sing to their babies. The text describes ghost-like fairies and a mythical "Green Man" appearing as the world turns dark.
Gospel music is a very important style within the historical context of American music. In the African-American tradition, it is even more important because of its religious significance in the church. "City Called Heaven" is a "sorrow song" that is usually performed in a gospel style, and this arrangement represents a slow interpretation of the original.
The Chamber Choir, under the direction of Matthew Svoboda, will be performing some Renaissance works by Tallis, Gamboa, and Byrd as well as a couple of contemporary spirituals. The Tallis and Byrd works are written for 5 and 6 voices respectively. The work by Pero de Gamboa is not well known and will give the audience a chance to hear a rare choral gem by a Portuguese Renaissance master. One of the contemporary spirituals blends "All Night, All Day" with "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and features Baritone and Mezzo-Soprano soloists. The other spiritual, "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel", is a rousing a cappella setting with lots of energy.
The Gospel Choir, under the direction of Vicki Brabham, has a surprise program of rousing gospel music!
For more information about Lane Community College:
- Newsroom – www.lanecc.edu/newsroom
- Twitter – www.twitter.com/lanenews
- Facebook – www.facebook.com/lanecommunitycollege
Lane Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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