The Kenyon College Chamber Singers and the Kenyon Community Choir, conducted by Professor of Music Ben Locke, will present a joint concert Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. in Rosse Hall. The 112-voice community choir will sing works by Pavel Chesnokov, Gerald Cohen, Moses Hagan, George Frideric Handel and Joan Szymko. Violinist Alayne Wegner ’17 joins the choir for a setting of e.e. cumming’s poem “i carry your heart with me,” composed by Z. Randall Stroope.
A centerpiece of the Chamber Singers program will be “Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen” (“Why is the Light given to those in misery”) by Johannes Brahms, a challenging piece that utilizes texts from three different books of the Bible. The group will combine with the community choir to sing “Bawo, Thixo Somandla” (“Lord, God Omnipotent”), a South African prayer against oppression and for peace among the people.
The Kenyon College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, directed by Professor of Music Dane Heuchemer, performs Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m in Rosse Hall. In addition to works by Gordon Jacob, Robert Russell Bennett and Loris Chobanian, the group will play Frank Ticheli’s “An American Elegy,” a song composed in memory of the victims of the 1999 Columbine massacre. A selection from Eric Whitacre’s “Ghost Train Triptych” features pianist Leah Dunbar ’20 and saxophone player Rhys Pinder ’20.
The Kenyon Laptop Orchestra will energize music lovers Sunday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in Brandi Recital Hall with songs composed using computer software. The pieces, created by students under the direction of Professor of Music Ross Feller, are meant to explore new technological boundaries in music.
The Percussion Ensemble takes the stage Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. in Rosse Hall. Songs the group will perform include some of the earliest pieces published exclusively for percussion ensembles, said director Cary Dachtyl. In addition, Drew Meeker ’17 will perform William Kraft’s “Morris Dance” on multiple percussion instruments, and Leah Dunbar ’20 will perform Muramatsu’s “Land” on marimba. In the spirit of extending summer for as long as possible, members of the Percussion Ensemble request that audience members wear their finest Hawaiian shirts to the concert.
The Harp Ensemble will close out the semester with a concert Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. in Brandi Recital Hall. The group of five harpists will play songs ranging from a “South Pacific” medley to some holiday tunes.
All concerts are free and open to the public.