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Cal Poly Humboldt University Singers and Humboldt Chorale Concert
Join the Cal Poly Humboldt School of Dance, Music, and Theatre and conductor Rachel Samet as they present an evening of choral music titled “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” on Friday, May 6th at 8:00 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall. Spotlighting the University Singers and Humboldt Chorale, this powerful and uplifting program features a variety of musical styles and moods, and draws its inspiration from nature, as well as the vulnerability and strength of the human spirit. Concert tickets are $10 General, $5 Child, and FREE for Cal Poly Humboldt students with ID and may be purchased at the door or in advance at centerarts.humboldt.edu. From the “All Events” drop down menu select “School of Dance, Music, and Theatre” and select your event. Proof of COVID vaccination and booster is still required for all guests on campus. At press time, the wearing of facemasks is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. If attending the concert in person is not an option, a free Livestream can be viewed at https://youtu.be/5EZ8s03dYwA. Conductor Rachel Samet is excited to present this program to a live audience. “We have had a surge in participation in the choirs this semester, and it has been a thrill to work on this program. The theme of nature has been satisfying to many singers in the choir, since nature is a source of comfort, mystery, even sustenance, so it’s no surprise that many artists and composers have embraced nature as a subject in their work.” Humboldt Chorale begins the program with Rosephanye Powell’s “Arise, Beloved!,” a rousing piece in a classical style that includes subtle jazz harmonies and an exciting piano part played by pianist Larry Pitts. Moira Smiley’s contemplative “Stand in that River” has the feel of a folk song you’ve been singing since childhood. The Italian madrigal “Contrappunto Bestiale alla mente” by late Renaissance composer Adriano Banchieri offers a bit of barnyard fun and silliness. Jacob Narverud’s “Lunar Lullaby” is one of the choir’s favorites, with sweeping lines and passionate text. The Chorale closes the first half of the program with a step back to the 1980’s with Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run,” joyously arranged by Craig Hella Johnson. The second half of the program features the University Singers. They begin with Canadian composer Sarah Quartel’s driving “Voice on the Wind,” featuring student Travis Strong on the djembe. Liechtensteiner composer Josef Rheinberger’s six-part sacred motet “Abendlied (Evening Song)” is an exquisite work from the Romantic era. Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” arranged by Craig Hella Johnson, offers hope at a time when we most need it. The haunting “The Moon is Distant from the Sea,” with poetry by Emily Dickinson and music by David Childs, features a gorgeous piano part played by John Chernoff. “Mata del anima sola,” by Venezuelan composer Antonio Estévez, is a stylization of the literature and music of the Venezuelan high plains and features the singer’s voices imitating traditional Venezuelan instruments. “Fresh Fruit,” with text by Cal Poly Humboldt student Alannah Guevara, was the centerpiece of the recent Music and Poetry collaboration with Toyon, the university’s multilingual art and literary journal, on the theme of hope and healing for Latinx communities. Guevara’s poem was selected to be set to music by the award-winning Venezuelan-American composer Carlos Cordero, whose commission was made possible by a grant from the Oakland based non-profit California Humanities. The piece addresses the impact of immigration on generations of families in a powerful, and ultimately hopeful, way. “Fresh Fruit” is followed by Shawn Kirchner’s bluegrass-infused arrangement of the popular gospel tune “Unclouded Day.” The concert concludes with the two choirs joining together for Mykola Lysenko’s “Prayer for Ukraine.” The “Prayer” has become a spiritual anthem for Ukraine, recently performed all of the world to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people. “It is incredibly moving to work on this piece with the choirs at this time,” said Samet. “Many of the singers have commented on how meaningful it is to sing this piece right now, and we are honored to share it with our audience.” The choirs send the audience off with Douglas E. Wagner’s setting of the Gaelic blessing titled “Deep Peace I Send to You.”
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