USU choir getting ready for “Wintersong”
It’s Christmastime. But with end-of-semester projects, paper deadlines, and finals week rapidly approaching, the phrase “happiest time of year” seems a little trite. Professor Cory Evans, director of choral activities at USU, said he knows how to balance it out.
“Bring a date and wind down before finals at a nice romantic evening featuring a variety of songs,” Evans said.
The University Chorale and Chamber Singers will perform “Wintersong,” their first seasonal concert of the year. Evans said he calls his Christmas concerts “Wintersong” because of the variety of songs he features. While his choirs’ other concerts usually focus on one theme, he said he likes to offer a variety of seasonal music in the December concerts.
“I try to capture the entire spectrum of music, from secular to sacred,” Evans said.
Grace Vincent, freshman majoring in choral education, said the songs have multiple meanings and that the message will be different for everyone.
Landon Smith, senior majoring in choral education and vocal performance, said he hopes the choir concerts this year will affect people.
“(I hope) it opens people’s eyes to how many different ways there are to thinking about Christmas. It’s not all about shopping and Santa,” he said.
Mike Starr, sophomore majoring in music composition, said the Chamber Singers and University Chorale’s repertoire is diverse, and the sound moves from fun “Caribbean” tunes to more cathedral-sounding songs like “Magnificat,” a 40-minute choral arrangement by John Rutter.
“This year, we are performing a lot of cool new pieces,” said Erin Lee, junior majoring in vocal performance. “Students should become familiar with these songs that are beautiful but different.”
Along with offering a variety of songs, the university Christmas choir concerts will feature a variety of instruments. Evans said he does his best each year to keep the choirs’ accompaniment “in house.” He said he often uses his own students’ talents with other instruments to arrange a fun, new piece.
“Finding talents outside of singing keeps things fresh and innovative each year,” Evans said.
This year, Evans said he has arranged an English carol which includes instruments like the violin, drums and the Irish penny whistle. Evans said he will even play the accordion.
“We live for this time of year,” Evans said. “The beautiful campus and first snow offer an electricity for our performance.”
Starr said his favorite thing about the USU choirs is being able to perform with a group. He said the USU choirs “have a feeling of camaraderie,” where each choir member knows that solos go to those who will make the song the best.
Vincent said she agrees.
“We’re all expected to pull our weight,” Vincent said. “We all work hard together.”
Smith said choir is a fun break from the rest of classes and he enjoys being a part of “making something incredible.”
Evans said he encourages students to be a part of this same experience, saying the USU choir concerts are a great way to come together and enjoy music.
Tickets are free to students with an ID card and $5 for the general public. The Chamber Singers will perform on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall. Other choir concerts include: “Holiday Flutes and Voices,” featuring the USU Women’s Choir, on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall; USU Symphony Orchestra and Choral Ensembles on Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall; and the USU and LDS Institute Combined Choirs on Dec. 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall.
-alisa.lyman@aggiemail.usu.edu