Tonight, the product of a student project will hail the skills of an aspiring choral conductor.
A strong a cappella chorus will echo at 8 p.m. within St. Alban’s Chapel as Leah Keyes, graduate student, conducts the Chamber Singers in her own graduate recital.
Keyes said the concert features music within a wide range of time periods from Gregorian chant to Renaissance, to the 20th century in accordance with its different musical styles and genres.
She also said the text of the pieces, some of which include orchestra, presents Latin, German, Italian and French, but the programs contain translations.
Justin Durham, graduate student and member of Chamber Singers, said there is something in the program for everyone.
“The variety can appeal to a lot of different tastes,” Keyes said.
From Mozart to Brahms, Keyes said she specifically chose music to create a shift of moods.
She said the first piece, which contains an overlapping eight-part harmony, is solid and jovial.
“I picked it because it shows joyful gladness in worshiping the Lord through music,” she said.
Keyes said after transitioning into a different theme of lost love, she wanted to close with a gospel spiritual piece, which is an embellishment of “This Little Light of Mine,” to leave the audience feeling uplifted.
Brian Galante, visiting instructor of choral music education, said the talented choir and well-prepared conductor will deliver an effective concert.
“There is quality present,” he said. “You will get an eclectic feel.”
Galante said students learn the crafts of conducting only by participating in an experimental process.
Keyes said the challenges of such a project lie in the logistics.
Among the duties of finding music, hiring instrumentalists, writing proof of musical research and details, and scheduling seven choir rehearsals, Keyes said she has finally learned the cumbersome, yet rewarding efforts of a choral conductor.
“It’s rewarding to have my music come alive through the choir,” she said.
Durham said the choir has provided a supportive environment for Keyes who has mastered the rehearsals.
“She is keeping it light but still accomplishing,” he said.
Keyes said she is constantly tweaking tedious elements and trying to relate to the singers in order to deliver the music to speak a certain way.
“The process is very organic,” she said. “It is very fast paced.”
Keyes said there was slight pressure knowing she was allowed to rehearse only once with the accompaniment the day before the concert.
To calm her nerves, Keyes said she remembers that the purpose of the project is not to conduct a perfect recital; it is merely a learning experience, which she hopes will impress.
—Contact Lindsay Gallmann at [email protected]