Brookings, SD (KELO AM) - Talented singers from SDSU's three choirs will deliver a unique 90-minute performance in their Choral Yuletide concert in the Performing Arts Center.
The 2 p.m. Dec. 7 concert features a choral montage of holiday favorites sung by the Concert Choir, Women's Choir and the Statesmen at South Dakota State University. The concert format will allow the audience to hear one song blend seamlessly into the next as performers sing from different vantage points of the Larson Concert Hall.
"This is not a stand-and-sing concert," said director Laura Diddle, who said this is the fifth year the concert has been presented in montage style. The concert opens and closes with the Concert Choir, Women's Choir and Statesmen singing together. That puts well over 200 voices onstage. For other numbers, the sounds are likely to be coming from the balconies, side stage, and even in aisles right next to the audience in addition to front and center on the expansive Larson Concert Hall stage.
Diddle said vocal rehearsals began in September. The three choirs have been giving extra rehearsal time every Friday to rehearse the five pieces that all 200 singers will sing together. "It's a special opportunity to hear a large group of 200 singers performing together. Their selections include beloved holiday favorites such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and a contemporary "Gaudete" featuring the SDSU Percussion Ensemble directed by Aaron Ragsdale.
The choral program has shown significant growth in the past few years with 120 in the Women's Choir, 60 in the Statesmen and 70 in the mixed Concert Choir."While the Women's Choir has maintained its 120-member cap for several years, the Statesmen and the audition-only Concert Choir are both growing groups," Diddle said. Concert Choir numbers have usually been around 50 while the Statesmen, SDSU's original vocal ensemble, usually has 40 to 45 members.Diddle attributes part of the growth to a renewed interest in singing. "It's a lifelong endeavor. Students are looking for an outlet for expression and an opportunity to share their talent. In my student evaluations, many indicate they look forward to rehearsal daily to put down their pen and pencil and express themselves by singing. So many of them enjoyed singing in high school and don't want to give that up," she said.Nonmusic majors are commonplace in all ensembles. "Singers enjoyed singing in high school and they look forward to the challenging repertoire presented to them at the collegiate level," Diddle said. "I liken it to participating in sports. Individuals enjoyed competition in high school in the sporting arena and they find ways to continue that interest through our athletic teams and club sports. "Musicians have that same opportunity by participating in our choral and instrumental programs."
A time to reflect, prepare for the season "(Statesmen director) Andrew Robinette and I have been programming this concert since last July. We made a conscious decision to have a concert with a common thread running throughout" Diddle said. "That common thread is sharing our gifts."Selections include music from all style periods and genres. Some pieces to look forward to are a British classic "What Cheer!" John Rutter's familiar "Candle Light Carol," a rousing spiritual "Children Go Where I Send Thee" and the concluding familiar number "Silent Night." Vocal soloists are Julia Auch of Beresford and Katy Milton of Astoria. “The concert celebrates the holiday season, spending time with loved ones and counting our blessings,” the professor said. “We want this concert to be 90 minutes of reflection, celebration and a time to stop for a moment, turn off your phones, and enjoy some down time with music and exceptional collegiate talent. “We’re offering our gift of music to the community. I can’t think of a better way to give—which is what we do at Christmas!”
Tickets, which are $10 for adults and $7 for children, can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office the day of the performance, from a student in one of the choral ensembles or in the music department office in the second floor of the Lincoln Music Hall. SDSU students are admitted free with an ID. Information about the concert can be obtained by calling the music department at 688-5187.