Big Music

Do you hear what I hear?

November 20, 2007

Choir director Amy Wlodarski leads students at a rehearsal last year.

Amy Wlodarski has been director of the college choir for three years. During this time, she has seen the choir grow from 15 students to 70 voices.

"Such growth has provided the opportunity for exciting performance experiences," Wlodarski, assistant professor of music, says.

With greater depth, the 70-person choir now has the capacity to sing major pieces, or what Wldoarski refers to as "big music," at their fall performance—"Songs of the Season."

The free, hourlong concert features both the college symphonic band and choir, and will take place on Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Carlisle Theatre.

The symphonic band will perform first with a selection of music directed by Michael Clayville, director of bands, that "probes vocal or song-line textures in band music, as well as pieces around the theme of Christmas," according to Wlodarski.

The choir will then take the stage with O Magnum Mysterium and part of the Brahms Requiem, pieces that explore different types of choral music—from Renaissance to French modernist to American.

Both the symphonic band and choir will join forces at the end of the show to perform holiday songs and traditional carols.

"The concert will be an excellent way to get in the holiday spirit while also enjoying some of the most beloved choral music written," says Wlodarski.

By Spencer Bailey '08