Variety Editor- Colleen Coleman
This May, the Gustavus Choir will be touring Japan, performing in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka under the direction of Dr. Brandon Dean, Associate Professor of Music. The Gustavus Choir will present their program in their Pre-Tour Home Concert on Saturday, April 25th at 3:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel.
Their program, “A Bouquet of Songs,” features music from a variety of cultures and genres. The performance will also feature two original pieces from Professor of Music Dr. Yumiko Oshima-Ryan, as well as original choreography by Junior Betsy Anderson, and Continuing Assistant Professor of Dance Jill Patterson.
Although departing after the spring semester ends, the Gustavus Choir has been preparing this music since September. The program features a variety of music, from contemporary American music, a Classical J.S. Bach motet, a ‘90s Japanese pop ballad, and more. Dean has spoken about his programming process and the thought and consideration that go into programming a concert.
While this program features a variety of styles of music, it also features a performance by Dance majors in the Gustavus Choir, including Anderson, as well as Sophomores River Picha, Natalie Thorson, and Annalise Maiers. Set to movements 5 and 14 of American composer David Lang’s “poor hymnal,” the choreography illustrates the music’s themes of identity and belonging. “Much of the inspiration for the dance was sourced directly from the lyrics of the song(s); we are aiming to integrate the two artistic mediums to create a cohesive whole,” according to Anderson.
After her choreography was featured in “Shared Space: Silent Axis” in November, Anderson was approached by Dean to choreograph a work for tour.
“I … was blown away by a few pieces in particular, one of which was co-choreographed by a member of the choir, Betsy [Anderson]. Right after that, I asked her if she would consider doing something for the ensembles and I’m grateful that she said yes. We had three additional dancers [who are members of the Gustavus Choir] who also performed at that show, so it worked out really well,” Dean said.
The text of “poor hymnal” is based on Lang’s collection of old hymnals, with movement 5: “the least of us” based on texts from Leviticus 19 and Matthew 25, and movement 14: “wherever charity is” based on Ubi Caritas, a traditional Catholic text, and Leo Tolstoy’s short story “Where Love Is, God Is.”
While chosen by Dean last March for this program, the story behind “poor hymnal” and other songs brings greater relevance to the Minnesota community today. “These … pieces are a collective call to action. Where charity is absent, we are called to be charitable. Where kindness is absent, we are called to be kind. Where justice is absent, we are called to act justly. Where love is absent, we are called to love,” Dean said.
“Collaborating with the choir has been very exciting. I have enjoyed the challenge of putting these two different art forms together in a way that enhances and elevates the entire performance. This project combines two things I am very passionate about (choir and dance!), and it really encapsulates the Gustavus experience for me,” Anderson said.
Associate Professor of Japanese Language and Literature Lianying Shan has been helping the Gustavus Choir prepare for tour by teaching Japanese culture, history, and language, and will be traveling with the choir.
“The most rewarding aspect of this collaboration has been seeing the choir students engage with the topics in a thoughtful, open-minded way. For example, it’s heartwarming to see them listen with great interest, ask thoughtful questions, and happily fold paper cranes,” Shan said.
Dean shared his thoughts on cultural exchange and the juxtaposition of this tour compared to the previous two international tours, both of which were in Europe. “[Europe] felt similar as our culture is still different, but a little closer to home. As we look to Japan, it’s a very different perspective and I think that there’s a lot we can learn from Japanese culture,” Dean said.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to share my knowledge of and passion for Japanese culture with dedicated, curious choir students whom I might not otherwise have the chance to teach,” Shan said.
Oshima-Ryan has also offered a valuable perspective on the musical traditions of Japan as a musician and an immigrant. One of the pieces Oshima-Ryan composed for the program is a piano improvisation based on the melody of Edo Lullaby, a traditional Japanese piece that the choir will perform, which holds personal significance to Oshima-Ryan. The improvisation will be set to choreography by Patterson and performed by Anderson.
Another one of the pieces Oshima-Ryan composed for the program is Yuyake Koyake, a harmonization based on a traditional Japanese tune that plays in the late afternoon to remind children to head home.
Gustavus’ music ensembles have a long standing history of touring regionally, nationally, and internationally. Now fulfilling a Signature Experience requirement for students, international tours give students and faculty opportunities to share their music beyond campus, as the Gustavus Choir will collaborate with local schools and universities while in Japan.
Before departing on their two week long international tour to Japan, the Gustavus Choir will present the culmination of their work in their Pre-Tour Home Concert on Saturday, April 25th at 3:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel.