KATHRYN E. FORTENBERRY
STAFF WRITER
The Franciscan University Chorale invited students to “Come to the Music” in its fall concert held at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Gentile Gallery.
The chorale sang 16 works in total, in which students participated with various accompaniments and solo performances to showcase their talents.
The concert opened with a performance of Joseph Martin’s “Come to the Music,” with freshman Rebecca Homer accompanying on her piccolo.
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, the choir performed two songs of thanksgiving: Victor Johnson’s “Deo Dicamus Gratias” and David Schwoebel’s “All Good Gifts.” They then proceeded to sing three renaissance motets—Thomas Morley’s “Send Forth the Trumpet,” Thomas Tompkins’ “Have Mercy on Me” and Adam Gumpeltzhaimer’s “O Praise the Lord.”
Senior Frances Buchanan, accompanied by sophomore Maylee Brown on piano, stunned the audience in her solo performance of Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of John Oxenford’s “The Ash Grove.”
Sisters Regina Hayes and Mary Elizabeth Hayes, freshman and sophomore respectively, performed a duet of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Thy Secret Place” as part of the segment on songs of salvation.
The choir smoothly performed Paul Sjolund’s “My Jesus I Love Thee,” with Homer providing accompaniment again, this time on the flute.
Four songs of praise closed the program with performances of the works “Shine On Us,” the sprightly tune “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” and George F. Handel’s “Sing for Joy” and “Glory to Thee, My God, This Night.”
George Melhorn, who holds a master’s degree in music education and conducting, directed the choir and provided piano accompaniment for the concert.
The few dozen in attendance responded to the performance with lively applause, and high spirits made for a pleasant concert. To close the event, the choir honored the audience’s requests for an encore and reperformed the titular song of the night.
Students in attendance highlighted the solo performances as their favorite parts, praising the melodious beauty and hard work of the performers.
Freshman Sophia Charron said, “The amount of work the choir put in was immediately evident in their beautiful display of technique and musical ability that flowed perfectly.”