“LUX”: Viterbo’s Fall Choir Concert
Viterbo’s annual jam-packed weekend of events adhered to its regular reputation of being filled with music. Once again, Professor Brett Robison brought his troop of vocal enthusiasts to the Mary of the Angels Chapel for the annual fall choir concert. Similar to the year prior, the concert contained pieces performed by all three of Viterbo’s dedicated vocal ensembles: the Women’s Chorale, The 9th Street Singers, and the Viterbo Concert Choir. However, this year’s concert was differentiated by its theme. Titled “Lux,” the concert primarily focused on the idea of light.
The afternoon of music began with the Women’s Chorale. As stated by the name, the group is comprised entirely of female students. The very first piece saw the audience surrounded by members of the choir; singers were stationed in a large circle around the main set of pews, with some soloists even placed high above on the chapel’s balcony. The whole room rang as the beautiful tones reverberated in every direction until all members of the choir eventually regrouped. From that moment on, the women filled the chapel with marvelous tones throughout their set of songs, all culminating in a joyous, energizing gospel to send off the group.
Following the Women’s Chorale was Viterbo’s largest vocal ensemble, the Concert Choir. Comprised of seventy-five students from many educational backgrounds, the group sang a wide range of large-group pieces. All three pieces displayed large dynamic shifts, containing beautifully quiet moments that would then escalate into grandiose musical pronunciations, and vice-versa. The final piece of the first set, titled “Great God Almighty,” composed by Stacey Gibbs, centered on the pleadings of slaves to the Lord. The piece itself was profound, and through the massive size of the choir, the emotion conveyed from it was immense. The boisterous harmonies and intense text made for a truly moving song.
Once the Concert Choir had finished its first set, Viterbo’s sixteen-part acapella group, the 9th Street Singers, took to the stage. Much like the groups that proceeded them, their set consisted of a nice mix of both soft, touching songs and energetic, hard-hitting numbers. The marvelous blend of the group was accentuated by the acoustics of the chapel.
Upon finishing their set, the 9th Street Singers were joined once again by the massive Concert Choir, entering with an inspiring African piece titled “Thixo Onothando.” From there, the group brought tranquility to the audience with the song “Lullaby” and wrapped up the show with another bouncy religious piece titled “True Light,” the perfect conclusion for the concert’s overall theme.
From start to end, “Lux” was a phenomenal showcase of Viterbo’s inspired musicians and provided many with a hearty religious and musical experience. All three choirs now look forward to stepping onstage again for the Christmas concert on December 1, ready to create, rejoice, and inspire all over again.