Annual Feast of Choral Singing

Lovers of large choral group singing should mark their May calendar for the annual joint concert of the 64-member University Singers and the 75-member Humboldt Chorale on Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m.

HSU students comprise the University Singers, directed by HSU Music professor Harley Muilenberg, while the Humboldt Chorale is a community-based group with members ranging in age from 13 to 89, directed by Carol McWhorter Ryder.

The University Singers perform the Psalm Cantata, “Not Unto Us O Lord” by Felix Mendelssohn, and selections from the Gypsy Songs by Johannes Brahms. The modern era is represented by “Pie Jesu” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem.

Their part of the program concludes with the rousing Neighbor's Chorus from the Offenbach operetta, La Jolie Parfumeuse. This selection features the piano of John Chernoff, who accompanies the Singers throughout.

Soloists for the University Singers are: Christopher Hatcher, Brandy Rose, Conor Jamison, Cally Staats, Kalea Hammond and Margaret Noe.

The Humboldt Chorale performs two selections from Verdi’s opera “Il Trovatore” (the famous Anvil Chorus, and another featuring bass singer Kevin Nakatani) and two from operas by Mozart (the Priest’s Chorus from “Die Zaubeflote” and the Voyager’s Chorus from “Idomeno” featuring soprano Katharine Kinley.)

The Chorale also performs selections from Bizet’s “Carmen” (featuring mezzo-soprano Margaret Noe), Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” the Spinning Chorus from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman" and Verdi's Hebrew Chorus.

The concert concludes with the Easter Chorus by late 19th and early 20th century Italian composer Pietro Mascagni from his ground-breaking opera “Cavalleria Rusticana,” featuring soprano Sarah Benzinger. The Humboldt Chorale dedicates this selection to the memory of Deborah Clasquin.

The joint University Singers and Humboldt Chorale spring concert is Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Humboldt State Now.