Spring Choral Festival ends with tears, smiles

Megan Bowen
Staff Writer
April 29, 2004, Page 7

The tears started flowing early Sunday as the two choirs, Doane Choir and Collegiate Chorale, prepared for their concert. This would be the next to last concert Professor Larry Monson would direct for these two groups, as he is retiring at the end of the semester.
The choirs sang at the First Plymouth Church in Lincoln on Sunday. The performance was underway promptly at 3 p.m., starting with the Collegiate Choral.
They began with a piece by Gottfried August Homilius entitled “Deo Dicamus Gratias,” meaning to God give thanks. This song was sung in Latin. Following that junior Marcus Kroese student-conducted another Latin piece. This one, written by John Leavitt, was called “Festival Sanctus.” Junior Dustin Witte narrated the next piece. It was named “Saul,” based on the book of Acts 8:1-4, and 7-9. It was composed by Egil Hovland.
“Samba-lele,” written by Daniel Afonso, was sung in Portuguese. This song came with a little background. It is a Brazilian folk song which tells the story of Samba-lele who, despite being sick with a broken head, still finds time to flirt with a beautiful brunette.
Senior Randy Garton student-conducted the next composition, “Soon-a Will Be Done,” arranged by William Dawson.
Collegiate Choral then left the stage and Doane Choir came on. Their first piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, titled “Venite Populi” was sung in Latin, as was the following piece by Anton Bruckner, “Os Justi.” “Venite Populi” had three parts: allegro, adagio and then allegro. “Os Justi” was based on Psalm 37: 30-31.
The songs shifted, and junior Scott Morris accompanied the choir on his alto saxophone. The song “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song,” arranged by Douglas Starr, was followed by “Alleluia” by Ralph Manuel.
“Gloria in Excelsis,” written by Charles Stanford, was accompanied by brass, organ and the choir, with a solo by senior Shannon King. “Prologue to Mefistofele,” composed by Arrigo Boito and arranged by Brian Pfoltner, was preceded by “Crossin’ Ovah,” a song arranged by Richard Jackson. Junior Marcus Kroese soloed with the choir as his back up.
The choirs combined, along with the Plymouth Brass, directed by Dr. Charles Ore. They sang four songs. “Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals” by Karg-Elert, arranged by Arthur Harris; “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” arranged by Gilbert Martin; “Now Thank We All Our God,” arranged by John Hotchkis, and finally “America the Beautiful,” arranged by James Mulholland.
As the group sang the last note, the crowd exploded into applause and gave them a standing ovation. The emotional experience ended with tears, but also with smiles.