The Arizona State University School of Music’s 2019-20 choral season explores the power and subtlety of the human voice with music familiar to groundbreaking. This year’s season includes recent music by women and people of color alongside classic works by such composers as Brahms and Liszt, in alignment with the Herberger Institute for Design and the Art's Projecting All Voices initiative.
“If there is a theme for this year’s choral season, it is ‘breadth,’” said David Schildkret, professor in the School of Music and director of choral activities. "We are exploring as wide a variety of repertory as possible with the highest quality possible. We are creating community through song.”
Schildkret said that singers have long known that there is something special about singing in a choir. Recent scientific research shows that choral singing has measurable positive effects on the human body. And while there currently isn't research about a similar effect for listening, Schildkret believes that listeners experience similar benefits.
“Of all means of music-making, singing is the most elemental,” said Schildkret. “It requires no special equipment; our bodies themselves provide everything we need. An ensemble of singers is capable of the broadest range of nuance and subtlety. Singing has an immediacy that nothing else can match.”
The ASU choral program consists of seven ensembles for singers at a variety of skill levels and welcomes all students, faculty, staff and community members into its various choirs.
ASU students receive free admission to all concerts with student ID. Contact the ASU Gammage box office, the Herberger Institute Box Office and the Tempe Center for the Arts box office for ticket prices at each individual performance venue.
Musica Sacra
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Barrett Choir, Chamber Singers and Choral Union
David Schildkret, conductor
Works by Brahms, Liszt and Rutter, featuring Liszt’s "Missa choralis" and Rutter's "Gloria."
Music of Brahms and Liszt
4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Organ Hall
Tickets
Chamber Singers
David Schildkret, conductor
"Geistliches Lied," opus 30 and "Schaffe in mir, Gott," opus 29, No. 2, by Brahms and the "Missa choralis" by Liszt (performance for the American Liszt Society Festival).
Autumn Delights
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29
Tempe Center for the Arts
Tickets
Arizona Statesmen, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and Women’s Chorus
Bartlett Evans, Jason Thompson and Erica Glenn, conductors
ASU choirs present a varied program of music in their fall concert.
Mozart’s Kings Coronation Mass and Jupiter Symphony
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Chamber Singers and Choral Union, Chamber Orchestra
Jiji Kim, guitar
Jeffery Meyer, conductor
The choirs and orchestra present two of Mozart’s most celebrated masterworks. Guitar virtuoso and ASU faculty member Jiji Kim brings a slice of modernity to the concert, performing Hilary Purrington’s 2019 concerto "Harp of Nerves."
Holiday Choral Gala
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Arizona Statesmen, Barrett Choir, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and Women’s Chorus
Bartlett Evans, David Schildkret, Jason Thompson and Erica Glenn, conductors
Five ASU choral ensembles offer a festive program of seasonal music.
Barrett Pops
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Barrett Choir
David Schildkret, conductor
The Barrett Choir presents their annual pops concert on a theme chosen by the students. The program features solo and small group performances prepared by the students along with selections performed by the full choir.
Spring Fling
7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Arizona Statesmen, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and Women’s Chorus
Bartlett Evans, Jason Thompson and Kiernan Steiner, conductors
Celebrate spring with the ASU choirs.
Many Voices
7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Chamber Singers and Choral Union
Kimberly Marshall, organ
David Schildkret, conductor
The program includes works by living women composers and Kodály’s "Missa brevis," featuring faculty organist Kimberly Marshall.
April Showers
7:30 p.m. Monday, April 27
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Arizona Statesmen, Barrett Choir, Gospel Choir and Women’s Chorus
Bartlett Evans, Jason Thompson and Kiernan Steiner, conductors
ASU choirs shower you with music to end the 2019-20 school year.
Mahler: Symphony No. 2
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30
ASU Gammage
Tickets
Chamber Singers, Choral Union, Concert Choir and Symphony Orchestra
Carole FitzPatrick, soprano
Stephanie Weiss, mezzo-soprano
Jeffery Meyer, conductor
The ASU Symphony Orchestra, faculty artists Carole FitzPatrick and Stephanie Weiss and the ASU choirs end the 2019-20 season with Mahler’s epic "Symphony No. 2."
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