THE FORUM
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N O V E M B E R 14, 2012
Voices of legance
E Lisa Curless | Staff Reporter
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estminster’s Chamber Singers allow their voices to intertwine. Each member is a professionally-trained singer noted for their high-quality performances. The choir was organized in 1996 and has toured to such locations as China, Ireland, and cathedrals from Paris to Madrid. The group’s combination of fervor and dedication has been in demand at a variety of venues both on and off campus. “The choir is a learning community within itself,” said Dr. Christopher Quinn, choir director.
“We all get to learn, doing something that we love, which is making music.” The caliber of music has steadily risen since the group’s formation. This year the group will be adding Eric Whitacre’s “Alleluia,” to their repertoire. “There are two chords in this piece that you would not expect would go together, and the combination is beautiful,” said Corinne Rydman, a senior elementary education major. Rydman is the Alto section leader and has been with the group for six years. “We learn together and push
The choir will be performing an exciting evening of choral classics and holiday favorites.
each other,” Rydman says. “Because of the dedication of the group, we will be friends long after the dust settles, and we have our degree.” “Singing with the choir has given students a chance to perform and experience what they love to do, which is sing,” said Anna Hunter, a senior elementary education major. “The music is challenging and the talent and ambition of the freshman and sophomores pushes the rest of the group.” Drew Olsen, a senior music major, heard about the group through some friends and thought “it was a good way to have a social life.” What he was not expecting was “the amazing high quality of the group.” Olsen said that the “music has a wide variety and is not only good for performances, but helps us grow as singers.” Olsen also commented on the talents of the director, Dr. Quinn.
“He has an ability to know how to get a good choir to sing well together.” Olsen commented that “Quinn’s relaxed and dedicated direction has not only helped professionally, but he cares about the singers’ personal growth.” The singers all take vocal lessons outside of choir to bring their best to the organization. Garrett Schoonover attended Westminster the fall of 2008 and then served in the military for two years. He returned and took an interest in promoting the music and theatre majors at Westminster. “The experience of singing with this group has always been an amazing experience,” Schoonover said. “The music we sing is always varied enough to serve everyone’s niche.” “They sound like angels,” said Andrea Curless as she listened to a practice session. Curless is a middle school student in Bountiful, Utah and already has interest in preparing herself to someday be able to sing with the choir. The choir will be performing an exciting evening of choral classics and holiday favorites including Silent Night, which will be sung in German, Spanish, Korean, English and Zulu. The concert will be held Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 1, 2012. 7:30 p.m. at the Vieve Gore Concert Hall.