We are all aware of the talent the Gustavus Choir (G-Choir) posesses. Many heard their breath-taking performance at Christmas in Christ Chapel. G-Choir was recently invited to Des Moines, Iowa to perform at the American Choral Director Association conference.
The American Choral Director Association (ACDA), holds a regional conference every other year where choral directors gather at a convention that includes performances by select choirs.
In order to perform, a choir must submit performance recordings representative from the past three years as well as printed programs verifying those particular pieces were performed. These are then sent to the presidents of each state. In Minn. President Bob Demaree who adjudicates the pieces during a blind audition.
“The process began in spring of 2013. It was a huge honor to be picked,” Gustavus Choir Director Dr. Greg Aune said.
The choirs selected to perform represent the upper echelon of choral excellence in the region with their control of proper technique, art, and quality.
The regional convention was also attended by choirs from in the North Central region with ensembles from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minn. and Wisc. This marked the second time in the 82 years of the Gustavus Choir the choir received the honor to perform at such an asteemed venue.
The conference centered around a celebration of choral diversity with songs in different languages, or eras, styles, voices, and interpretations. Drawing on multiple interests, Dr. Aune deliberately chose to perform pieces that expressed the vast vocal dexterity and flexibility the of Gustavus Choir.
“I chose the pieces that we would perform at the conference knowing that we would be going on tour. Not only pulling on the Swedish heritage of our school but also showing diversity within Scandinavian cultures,” Aune said.
One such piece, an adapted Sami folk song known as a yoik, evokes an ancient chant-like feel which was followed by a contemporary commissioned piece by Eric Whitacre that focuses on dissonance and atmospheric tonalities.
Gustavus Choir soprano and sophomore Karen Holt, relayed a touching moment from their performance.
“As soon as we got done singing, the audience started to stand up and as Dr. Aune turned around to face the audience, he was so taken back by their standing ovation that he began tearing up,” Holt said.
Having the honor to sing at the ACDA conference is a rare occurrence for any choir in the region. Junior Tenor Erik Carlson added that the Gustavus Choir was also asked to submit a recording for the National ACDA conference that will be taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah next February.
“Our hard work and perserverance truly payed off. We have been working on some of this music since the beginning this year. Every little nuance that we spend countless hours perfecting was what made our songs come alive,” Holt said.
Carlson echoed this sentiment. “This experience just affirms my love for choral music as well as singing with the Gustavus Choir even more,” Carlson said.
Keep your fingers crossed that G-Choir will perform in front of even more enthusiastic choral directors and choirs next year.