5th Annual Choral Spectrum
Tomorrow
7:30 p.m.
Fine Arts Center Concert Hall
UMass
$10 general public
$3 UMass students
Tomorrow night a combination of the top choral groups at the University of Massachusetts and some of the best off-campus ensembles will be on hand for the 5th annual Choral Spectrum in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall.
From UMass, the Chorale, the Chamber Choir and the Women’s Choir will perform while a statewide high school Men’s Honor Choir and Women’s Honor Choir will assist them in the entertainment. Cantabile, a professional classical octet that has performed a capella Venetian Renaissance works across western Massachusetts and New York, will be performing at the Spectrum as well.
According to the Department of Music and Dance at UMass, each ensemble will perform its own repertory but the plan is to have all the groups come together to sing “Donna Nobis Pacem (Give us Peace)” from J.S. Bach’s “B Minor Mass” to conclude the event.
“The Choral Spectrum concerts are fast-moving samplers of the many styles and sounds of choral music from around the world, director of Choral Activities, E. Wayne Abercrombie, said in the press release. “Singing, especially singing together, is one of the oldest ways humans have expressed their emotions and moods. Our voices are unique aspects of our personalities, and choirs uniquely express cultural personalities.”
Right up until the concert, the high school students who were lucky enough to be selected to perform in the all-star choirs will participate in choral workshops. The event is made possible by the sponsorship of the American Choral Directors Association, a national organization with 21,000 members.
Start time for the 5th Annual Choral Spectrum is 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 for the general public; $5 for students, senior citizens and children under 18; and $3 for UMass students. Groups of over 15 will be admitted for $4 per person. Tickets can be ordered in advance or picked up at the Fine Arts Center Box Office. The number is 413-545-2511.
– Glen Straub