Rather than battle it out in a sporting event, Ohio State University and Ohio University will team up for a combined concert Friday night.
Last year, the Ohio University Singers traveled to OSU to perform with the Ohio State University Chorale, and this year is OSU’s opportunity to come down to Athens to perform with OU’s chorale, said Layla Everett, a senior studying music education.
“When two athletic teams meet, one team has to be declared the loser,” said Robert Ward, associate director of choral studies at Ohio State University. “When two artistic choirs meet, both are winners.”
The opportunity to celebrate choral singing at Ohio University seemed natural, and because of conflicting dates, the idea for a two-day festival came together, said Peter Jarjisian, director of choral studies.
“Conflicts with other potential dates led me to embrace the commitment to back-to-back concerts of entirely different repertoire,” Jarjisian said. “It’s something we've never done before.”
Guest conductor Jerry Rubino, a respected musician and current minister of music at Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church in Minnesota, will also join the choirs during Friday’s performance.
There will be a varied repertoire performed during Chorfest, including music from Bach and some African-American spirituals, said Raymond Wolfe, a senior studying choral music education.
Among Friday’s program is “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me,” written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and presented last April at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding. There will also be an arrangement of “My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord” performed by the Ohio University Singers, Section 8 and Title IX.
Saturday’s performance will feature the Ohio University Singers and Choral Union performing several selections from the J. S. Bach-Mass in B Minor, and the Women's Chorale performing a variety of music as well.
Wolfe said many members are excited to host this unique chorale festival.
“This will be an exciting weekend for everyone involved,” Wolfe said. “The varied repertoire and the passion of the singers involved should make for a great experience for participants and audience members alike.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
