Concert Choir to perform in Walker Hall

Lauren Ganger, Staff writer

On April 27 at 7 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall, the Mercyhurst University Concert Choir will present a concert under the baton of C. Thomas Brooks.
This concert has taken place in St. Peter’s Cathedral downtown in the past, but it will take place on campus this semester.
The concert’s theme is religious music through the centuries and will feature works from as early as the 15th century up through the 21st century.
One of the earlier pieces on the program is Mozart’s Missa Brevis in D Major.
It will feature student soloists Maria Dombrowski, junior contract major in English and Music; Caitlyn Cressley, freshman Music Education major; Norman Mingolelli III, junior Mathematics major; and Nicholas Carver, sophomore Music major.
Another piece that will feature a student soloist is “Sustain Us,” a choral work that uses “choreography,” or choreographed movements done by the choir.
The piece follows the path of life. The soloist on that piece is Joshua Phillips, junior Music Therapy major.
A unique feature of the concert is the choir’s use of the performing space.
One piece is quadraphonic, meaning that it features four voices coming from different directions.
Another important feature of the concert is the variety of musical styles on the program.
The ensemble will perform sacred choral works that were traditionally performed in a liturgical setting on the same program as African American spiritual pieces that were passed down through oral tradition before being transcribed for posterity.
Brooks has big plans for the choir in the years to come.
He hopes to increase its size and to create a touring choir to get more attention for the Mercyhurst University Music department.
Students of all majors are welcome to audition for the choir.
It meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 2:20 in the Walker Recital Hall.
Tickets to this concert are $5 for the general public. Tickets are $2 for Mercyhurst students with ID, staff and children 12 and under.