By Ashley Ragone
Staff Writer
The College’s Choir and Chorale kicked off their 2024-2025 season in Mayo Concert Hall with “Beauty Through My Own Eyes” on October 18th. The performance celebrated music composed entirely by women, a theme that will be continued with new selections by female composers for future concerts.
Leading the choirs was John Leonard, director of choral activities and professor of music. Leonard shared some insights into his approach to the season, noting that he had never before created a season with this dedication to female work.
“I hadn’t done it before, and there’s such great repertoire,” Leonard said. “And as I was putting together the whole season this year, everything I had already solidly picked were female composers…I like to generally do a theme every year, and I said ‘Well why don’t I just make it all female composers?’”
Under Leonard’s artistic direction since 2010, the College’s choral program has premiered numerous works, including Andrea Clearfield’s “Poet of the Body and the Soul.” The 2012 commission was revisited by the singers during this performance, with Clearfield in the audience herself.
The piece, which was inspired by poet Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” concluded with the striking visual and auditory choice of the chorale lining the aisles of the venue. The choir delivered the final line in haunting layers.
The evening was marked by several stunning performances. Among the highlights was “Hymne au Soleil” by Lili Boulanger, a work that celebrates the symbol of the sun for life and happiness, with an air of optimism and intensity.
“No Time,” composed by Susan Brumfield, is a camp meeting song inspired by traditional sermons. Sophomore secondary education and history major Anthony Berchie, a member of the choir, stated this was his favorite song to perform because of “its amazing harmonies.”
Additionally, “Gloria” from Carol Barnett’s “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass” brought liveliness, infusing traditional holy music with an upbeat rhythm. Hyo-Won Woo’s “Pal-So-Seong,” or “8 Laughing Voices,” is made up of nonsense syllables and is highly entertaining with its intermittent laughter.
Leonard expressed his own enthusiasm for the music, and how it feels “refreshing” performing this new repertoire. Berchie also shared that his love of singing makes him “feel like a totally different person” when he has the chance to perform.
Looking ahead, the College’s choirs will present their next concert on Nov. 23, which will specifically feature “Gloria” with an expanded band ensemble. They will continue their commitment to performing female composers and highlighting the vibrant contributions of women in music.
