Defiance College Chamber Singers and Choral Union to hold spring concert

April 21, 2015

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Choral Union and Defiance College Chamber Singers will be presenting an evening of choral music on Saturday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m. in St. John United Church of Christ, Webster Street. The concert program is entitled “Imprints,” and focuses on the influences of music on the mind, body, soul.

The concert features DC staff accompanist Candace Stoffel on piano, and percussion ensemble led by DC director of bands Bridget Olenik.

Imprints is a concept that is ingrained in the program in several ways beginning with the accompaniment; imprints left by a hand or mallet and the piano hammers striking the strings. Three themes are presented on how music influences one’s life including the church as a child, movies and theatre, and nature. This is represented in the first half as the Chamber Singers perform three pieces from each genre. In the second half, the text selections by Tarik O’Regan create several waves of musical and emotional responses. Music is said to have great power over one’s mood and making music is one of the few activities that uses both sides of the brain simultaneously and equally. The concert will close with two combined numbers again returning to nature and adding a new thought of musical influence, the community.

The Defiance College Choral Union consists of DC students, college personnel and community members from all over Northwest, Ohio. The spring concert is one of three annual events presented by the ensemble including the W. Oscar Jones Choral Festival and the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. The group rehearses on Monday nights and is always happy to welcome new members.

The Defiance College Chamber Singers is an auditioned, mixed choral ensemble of approximately 45 DC students. Repertoire contains music from all stylistic periods, including contemporary music, and consists of small-form choral music performed a cappella and/or with chamber instruments. Frequent performances on and off-campus, including tours, are expected of this ensemble.

Conductor Andrew Schultz serves Defiance College as director of music programs. He leads the DC Chamber Singers, Choral Union, music for DC Players productions and teaches conducting and voice. He also works closely with the instrumental ensembles to ensure the success of each music program presented at Defiance College.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.