Staff Writer- Amelia Dewberry
This weekend, four Gustavus music ensembles will come together for a complete performance of Beethoven’s Mass in C Op. 86. This masterwork concert will feature the Gustavus Choir, Choir of Christ Chapel, Lucia Singers, and Gustavus Symphony Orchestra (GSO). Everyone is invited to attend at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15th, in Christ Chapel.
Over 300 student musicians are involved in this ambitious performance of Beethoven’s masterwork. These types of performances are uncommon, so the Music Department’s performance of Mass in C is a rare chance to see such a large-scale live concert. The event also presents a special opportunity for all three choirs and the orchestra to perform together, aside from at Christmas in Christ Chapel.
For the performers, the concert repertoire of just one composer’s masterwork makes this concert exceptional. It showcases the breadth of the music program at Gustavus in what First-year Kiley Jones of Lucia Singers calls “a choral beast of a piece.”
“This concert is different and special because we are collaboratively performing a great historical masterpiece that has stood the test of time,” Jones said.
While the piece was first composed in 1807, it still feels powerful and meaningful to performers and audiences today.
For Sophomore Lucia Singer Jackie Mansergh, “singing Beethoven has deepened [her] appreciation for older music and the time it must have taken composers to write these pieces, which many people consider ‘boring’ nowadays.”
Jones added, “It is crazy to imagine people our age performing this symphony hundreds of years ago and to imagine if it was Beethoven himself conducting the piece.”
Additionally, performers in the choirs and orchestra have enjoyed the experience of working together to accomplish such a difficult piece. Each ensemble began rehearsing separately before combining to bring all the sounds together.
“As a student, it’s really exciting to be part of something this big, and it’s especially fun getting the chance to work with the orchestra since we don’t always get to collaborate on that level,” Senior Kendra Stanton added.
“Singing with all the choirs is an amazing experience because there are so many voices coming together to create one powerful sound. It feels really special to be part of something bigger than just one group, and you can really feel the energy of everyone working toward the same goal.”
For the orchestra, playing with the choirs presents both unique opportunities and challenges. “We also have to adjust our playing tone and style to fit what the choirs are singing. The conductors are also only conducting two movements each, so we have to switch conductors. It’s definitely an adjustment for everyone to play with a conductor that isn’t the one they’re used to, but it’s also a great opportunity for growth and adaptability,” Junior Jamy Randrup of GSO explained.
Despite the challenges, the end result was rewarding for Randrup. “There were definitely some moments during rehearsal that gave me goosebumps because it comes together so well between the two sounds,” Randrup commented.
The student musicians hope that the Gustavus community seizes the opportunity to see this distinct, powerful performance. “People should come to this concert because it is probably the one chance that they will have in their lives to attend a masterwork for free,” encouraged Jones.
The concert also demonstrates the hard work, talent, and collaboration of the Music Department. Tickets for Sunday’s concert are available at tickets.gustavus.edu and at the door, with Gustavus students, faculty, and staff being entitled to one free ticket.