The Notre Dame Chorale, the University’s official concert choir, will perform its annual fall concert at 8 p.m. Friday in DeBartolo Performing Arts Center’s Leighton Concert Hall. The theme of the concert is “God, Country, Notre Dame.”
“The concert will feature sacred works (God), patriotic songs (country) and school songs (Notre Dame) in addition to Irish airs and the Scottish song ‘Loch Lomond,’” Chorale director Alexander Blachly said. “There will also be a special feature of the program with the participation of the newly-formed Notre Dame Children’s Choir.”
Blachly said the repertoire of the group ranges from Gregorian chants, Renaissance motets and classical pieces to more contemporary works. Staff pianist Paivi Ekroth will accompany the choir’s vocals.
The show, which will last approximately one hour with no intermission, celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Chorale and kicks off a weekend-long Chorale alumni reunion.
“This is a celebration of the past members of the Chorale,” Blachly said.”The reunion will continue the next day after the concert with singing activities in Leighton Concert Hall and a visit to the DPAC organ hall.”
Senior Mimi Michuda, Chorale president, said she appreciates the emotion and excitement surrounding the reunion.
“Chorale is more than just close friendships, we are a family,” she said.
Junior Erin Bishop, Chorale treasurer, said the concert will feature many changes from of the past performances.
“The officers and myself have worked really hard with Alex [Blachly] to revamp our concerts and to hopefully increase attendance,” she said. “This concert, we’re singing a much greater variety of pieces, especially with the more modern patriotic and school songs.”
Blachly said the Chorale has about 50 members, both male and female, most of whom are undergraduate students representing every college. Besides the fall concert, the Chorale also performs Handel’s Messiah with the Notre Dame Festival Orchestra each December, embarks on a winter tour each January and travels for an international tour every three or four years. The Chorale has also performed with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and the group will participate in a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah next March.
“Many students do not know about Chorale because there are many other choirs on campus that sing much more modern music,” Bishop said. “We want people to know that we’re here as well and just as great of a group.”
Tickets for the fall concert are free for students and $10 for the general public. They can be purchased at the DPAC box office or online at performingarts.nd.edu
