The Geneseo Chamber Singers and Spectrum Singers filled the Central Presbyterian Church with music on Sunday March 8 at 3 p.m. for their most recent concert.
This particular concert, entitled “Una passeggiata musicale” (a musical stroll), featured a great variety of music—including music in different languages and music from a wide array of time periods. The variety made the concert an extremely enjoyable experience for everyone in attendance.
The concert opened with Spectrum Singers, under the direction of adjunct professor Amy Cochrane, singing “Come unto these yellow sands” by Amy Beach. The all-female choir was able to tell the story of Ariel from William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” throughout their song.
Both the Spectrum Singers and Geneseo Chamber Singers sang pieces in multiple languages with lyric translations located in the program, however, the translations weren’t always necessary according to music major freshman Brian Parrett.
Parrett’s favorite song was Geneseo Chamber Singers’ “Eli, Eli!,” a Hebrew expression of Mark 15:34.
“Although it was in a language other than English I felt [the meaning] really got through to the audience,” Parrett said. “I felt like everybody who was there that heard the piece could resonate with it in some way or another.”
The Geneseo Chamber Singers, under the direction of Department of Music chair Gerard Floriano, closed out the concert with a moving rendition of Justin Paul and Benj Pasek’s “You Will Be Found,” featuring an impactful solo from musical theatre major senior Brett Hammes. The particular arrangement was done by Paul, Pasek and Alex Lacamoire.
Originally from the Tony award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” the song depicts a promise of hope. According to musical theatre major junior Rocky Nardone, the typically Broadway-style song is “not usually done in a choral setting, but it worked really well in our choir.”
Accompanying “You Will Be Found” was a summary of the musical’s plot by music vocal performance major sophomore Evan Panzer. In the context of the musical, “You Will Be Found” is sung as a speech given by the protagonist, Evan Hansen.
“[Evan] sings about his own personal experiences with suicidal thoughts and [feelings of isolation],” Panzer said. “This speech goes viral, as Evan’s true words make an impact on the internet, resonating with so many others who feel the same.”
In the concert’s program, it was stated that “You Will Be Found” was performed in support of mental health awareness. Donations for Geneseo Pathways’ work toward suicide awareness and prevention were accepted and encouraged.
The program also dedicated the final song to Geneseo Pathways and Geneseo’s 3rd Annual Mental Health Town Hall, which occurred the following day. The choir’s visible support of mental health resources was heartwarming.
The performance of the song was incredibly emotional, as was the rest of the music throughout the concert.
“It was very, very moving, not just for me, but I felt like for the whole audience too,” physics major senior Hannah McClow said. “It reminds you why you do it in the first place.”
This concert depicted the hard work and vocal talent of both choirs.
“We do devote a lot of time to practicing and committing to our craft,” Parrett said.
This time and hard work did not go unnoticed. McClow, who has been a member of Geneseo Chamber Singers for years, said, “I think that this is one of the best concerts that I’ve done in a long time.”
“Una passeggiata musicale” was a breathtaking concert. Both the Spectrum Singers and Geneseo Chamber Singers, as well as their respective directors, displayed a wide range of skills and outstanding talent. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for performers and spectators alike.