Music is a universal language of storytelling, emoting and sharing thoughts and ideas so it only makes sense that the larger the group, the stronger the message. This past Monday, March 9, The Keene State College Concert Choirs were joined by the Gettysburg College Choir for a joint spring performance.
The Gettysburg College Choir, hailing from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, have been known for their frequent travels and performances around the United States in places like New York City and Boston, Massachusetts, to places in Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Canada, all under the instruction of Dr. Robert Natter.
Keene State College’s Concert Choir conductor Dr. Matthew Leese explained that the collaboration between the two groups is unusual, seeing as collegiate music groups usually only do combined performances as a means of recruitment. For this performance, however, Leese explained that is not the case, and expressed his great excitement to make music with such a renowned collegiate group.
“Their director, Robert Natter, contacted our concert band director, John Hart, who is actually an alum of Gettysburg. Then we figured out that I have a personal contact in the choir too. When Sandra Howard and I talked about engaging all three of the Keene State choirs in their visit, it seemed like a perfect fit,” said Leese.
Preparing for concert events like these can be daunting, explained Topher Clark, a music education major with voice as their primary instrument. They also said that no matter how daunting it may seem at first, it is always worth the work to share such strong emotions with others through the music.
“Collaborating with other college choirs is such a great experience because not only are you bringing together communities that would almost never come together in the first place but as a musician you also get to learn a lot, and working with a new choir or conductor can teach you a lot and give you some lifelong lessons and experiences to walk away with,” said Clark.
Liz Anderson, a Swanzey resident and an attendee of the Keene State and Gettysburg College choral concert, said she always enjoys seeing the Keene State Choir perform and is familiar with the music department and its faculty as well.
“I thought it was wonderful. It was such an emotional performance too because they have such wonderful voices and both groups blend together so well. It’s just so nice to be able to host other colleges as well,” said Anderson.
For updates on events like these, visit www.keene.edu/arts/redfern for event dates, times and schedules, or visit the Redfern box office for brochures with event details.
Alex Dube can be reached at
adube@kscqeuinox.com
