There were no empty seats in Love Recital Hall on Tuesday evening. In fact, people scrunched in the doorway and sat on
The CMU Vocal Arts Ensemble hosted choirs from local high schools in the Valley. Students from Fruita Monument, Palisade, Central and Grand Junction high school sat in the first five rows of the recital hall, rotating throughout the house as each took their turn onstage.
The performance began with a bang as the small but mighty Palisade High School Chamber Singers took the stage. With palpable passion and enthusiasm, they sang “Kuimba Nafsi Yangu”, stomping rhythmically alongside a steady bongo beat. With the clarity and smoothness of a professional choir, the Palisade students breezily reached the high notes, low notes and every note in between. Conductor Matt Doty gestured proudly to his choir as the choir transitioned between songs. The first note of their final song, “My Good Lord’s Done Been Here” punched through the air with the tonality of a ringing bell.
Where the Palisade students were exuberant and committed, the Fruita Monument High School Monumental Singers were subdued and dreamy. Their acapella rendition of “Shenandoah” was messy at times, but the singers did well with the demanding high notes. Their second song featured a four-hand piano, which is two pianists sitting side-by-side. According to conductor Jessica Hazard Hanley, this was meant to replicate a bluegrass sound. Although I didn’t necessarily hear bluegrass, the students sang the melancholy tune with energy and passion. A single, clear falsetto brought their showcase to a dramatic end.
The Central High School Concert Chorale was by far the largest choir. A booming baritone connected the wild harmonies of “Come Back to me in Dreams.” The singers alternated between piano and forte throughout the song, breathing texture and life into the bittersweet tune. The final note faded into quietness so impressively the audience wasn’t sure when to start clapping. During their final song, a trio of altos and duo of baritones impressively roused the audience, despite a shaky start. The baritones were especially on key, which is a deceptively difficult feat.
The final high school choir was the elegant Grand Junction High School Advanced Women’s Ensemble. The small group of young women began with an acapella rendition of “Ah! Si mon moine voulat danse.” Their diction was strong throughout the entire song, and a lone soprano rang out above the rest. They transitioned into their second tune, “Die Capelle,”with a punchy, staccato opening. The young ladies sang beautifully together, and each looked to be enjoying themselves more than the last.
Next up, the CMU Vocal Chords sang a wistful version of “Woods” which featured two soloists by two students who sang loud and confidently, flourishing their vocals with impressive high notes and runs. Director Adam Kluck introduced their final song as “a profound exploration on what it’s like to be a train.” Indeed, the lively lyrics of “I’m a Train” made the audience giggle. “I’m a train, look at me,” sings The Train. “This has been a long day.” The chorus to the fun little tune was catchy. So catchy, in fact, it has been stuck in my head since Tuesday night and maybe for the rest of my life.
When presenting the final act of the night, the CMU Vocal Arts Ensemble, Kluck took a moment to address the audience. He said music is about human connection, and the goal of these pieces was to connect with us, transport us to another place. Indeed, the deep, eerie sound of Indodana enveloped the room. I could close my eyes and imagine myself in an ancient cathedral, surrounded by the soulful hum of temple singers. Even as the singers took to the crowd, their sound and clarity never wavered. Throughout the four songs, I could hear the choir smiling as they sung. The CMU Vocal Arts Ensemble’s vocal prowess perfectly encapsulated the evening; young vocalists performing with the enthusiasm and confidence of professional performers.
