In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the LC Choral Union will offer a free concert, Many Voices of Our World, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Snidow Chapel.
“This is our gift to the community,” said Dr. Jong Kim, professor of music and founding conductor of the Choral Union.
The program will feature Antonio Caldara’s Stabat Mater, a musical setting of a powerful medieval poem that meditates on the suffering of Mary, the mother of Christ, during his crucifixion. Also on the program will be works by Johann Michael Haydn, Eric Whitacre, Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, Joseph M. Martin, and David Childs. A Stephen Foster medley arranged by Jon Washburn will be a highlight of the program.
The Choral Union comprises LC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community singers. “Upon my arrival at University of Lynchburg in 2002, I formed the Choral Union to perform choral/orchestral literature, to promote community-wide support for the University of Lynchburg choral program, and to provide opportunities for LC music students to experience high quality choral literatures,” Dr. Kim explained. “Since that time, a primary focus of the chorus has been to become a premier choral ensemble in the state of Virginia and beyond. “
The Choral Union presents a fall concert, an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah in early December, and another major choral/orchestral work in the spring. During the summer, the Choral Union also serves as a practicum choir for graduate student conductors in the College’s master of arts in choral conducting program.
“I believe choral music has special meaning in our diverse society,” Dr. Kim said. “No other area of music has traditionally been a common meeting ground for people from many divergent backgrounds as has the choir. Choral singing shows us how we can live together in harmony since a quality choral sound can be accomplished only when singers learn to listen to the voices of others.”
Listen to a sample of the Choral Union’s music.
