Singing voices fill Chadron Arts Center

A crowd of community members and students gathered 3 p.m., Sunday at the Chadron Arts Center to hear CSC’s Choral Ensembles, presented by the Chadron State College Department of Music.

The afternoon kicked-off with the Men’s Ensemble. The men sang a variety of compositions including “Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal,” “Musica,” “Pie Jesu,” “Flanders Fields,” “Ave Maria,” “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart,” and “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!”

Soloists included Zachary Henderson, 21, senior of Douglas, Wyoming, during “Pie Jesu,” and Jacob Wirth, 22, senior of Sidney, during “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!”

Joel Schreuder, professor of music, directs The Men’s Ensemble. Thirteen male CSC students make up the ensemble.

The group started in 2003 and is made up of tenors and basses from the CSC Concert Choir.

The Chadron State College Women’s Choir, Arioso, took the stage after the men. The women sang a variety of songs including “Bring Me a Little Water, Sylive,” “Lauliku lapsepol,” ”Suite” de Lorca,” and “Dubula”.

The women put on a more vibrant performance compared to the men’s somber and solemn performance. Dance moves and hand gestures by the women helped to energize the crowd. The pieces ranged from traditional folk songs from America, Africa, and Europe to modern music.

Una Taylor, associate professor of music, directs Arioso. The choir is made up of 22 female CSC students.

Taylor talked about how the women are fundraising to take a trip to Ireland. The women’s choir was founded in 2006.

“I’m very proud of my women’s ensemble,” Taylor said.

The performance was free and open to the public.