Cultural Event: Choir Concert

Towards the middle of October the Cliff Singers had our first concert at the First Presbyterian Church here in Sioux City. To begin with this was a very unique feeling for me because my last choir concert for Heelan was held at this church. It was a good feeling to think that my first step as a musician in college took place at the same venue as my final step as a high school musician. It is a much different atmosphere singing with a college choir than a high school one. In high school most of the students are in choir simply out of a love for music, but many of the students in a college choir are going to be turning this into a career someday so there is even more passion in their singing. I am very grateful to be a part of this group and I am looking forward to singing with them over my next four years here.

Cultural Event: Christmas at the Orpheum

During the first weekend of December the Briar Cliff choir was given the opportunity to perform with the Sioux City Symphony orchestra for the yearly Christmas at the Orpheum program. This was a very unique concert to be a part of. Singing simply with the accompaniment of a piano or organ does not match the musical quality of working with an entire orchestra. It made me feel as if I was part of a professional choir. Even the songs which the symphony performed without the choir were incredibly impressive. What I find enjoyable about listening to instrumental music is I can simply sit back and enjoy it without having to focus on lyrics to understand a song. With instruments the listener can feel the emotion from the volume the orchestra is playing or the different intonations they use throughout a piece. My favorite song the orchestra played was a medley of various tradition songs all pieced together to form one flowing song. It was a wonderful privilege to work with musicians of that caliber and I am very thankful that I got to experience it. 

Cultural Event: Madrigal

Last weekend I went to Nativity Middle School to watch Heelan's performance of their yearly Madrigal program. For this show, the students of the Bishop Heelan choir department dress up in costumes appropriate of the medieval time period and sing tradition Christmas carols. For the last four years I was always a part of the concert, so this was the first time I have had the privilege to view the show from an audience member's perspective. Overall it was a very enjoyable night. The first half of the show some of the students put on plays between the songs, and young ladies dressed as maids from the time period bring the audience food while the choir sings. The second half of the show was strictly a concert portion and it was very well sung. One of the highlights of this half is the song "The 12 Days of Christmas". While the choir sings this piece the two jesters act out each of the gifts in a very humorous way. The show ends all of the choirs making their way throughout the crowd while singing "Silent Night". It was a very beautiful way to end the concert. The entire show was a perfect way to start off the holiday season, and I look forward to going back and seeing it next year.