The Tougaloo College Concert Choir in Woodworth Chapel, April 2, 2006
The choir, some 50 strong, with equal numbers of men and women, opened
the program with a powerful rendition of the final part of Randall
Thompson's Peaceable
Kingdom, "Ye Shall Have a Song", sung a capella. Indeed the
entire program was done without accompaniment by any instrument and
without any amplification. This allows what is sometimes called "close
harmony" by barbershop singers. There followed a series of arrangements
of traditional spirituals by Moses Hogan, William Dawson, and others.
Of these, Hogan's arrangement of "Lord I Want To Be A Christian" was
the most compelling for me - the blend, the intonation, and the
dynamics were all superb. "I've Been 'Buked" (arr. Hall Johnson) and
"I Can Tell the World" (arr. Moses Hogan) were especially noteworthy,
the latter because the tenors and basses had extended passages by
themselves. Several soloists were featured: Tabitha Taylor, Mezzo;
Bianca Jackson, Soprano; Tanya Boyd-Cannon, Mezzo; Myron Walker,
Tenor; Jarvis McGinnis, Bass; Mia Ellis, Soprano; Landros Jones,
Tenor; and Mario Henderson, Baritone. All these rose to the occasion
very effectively.
The second half of the program was especially
interesting. Director Kathy Castilla had - earlier in the year -
divided the choir into three groups. Each group was to present a
secular choral piece, with only minimal input from the director.
They were to choose - from their own ranks - their own director,
and rehearse and
prepare for this program, which was a competition among the three
groups. Again, there were to be no microphones and no instrumental
accompaniments (i.e. no crutches!). The results were remarkable.
The three pieces "Once Upon A Dream" (Kirby Shaw), "All I Ask
Of You" (Lloyd Webber, arr. Chilcott), and "An Affair To Remember"
(Harry Warren, arr. Chinn) were presented in a most sensitive and
enjoyable manner.
The educational benefit of this sort of activity is clearly noteworthy.
I am reminded of the time when I sang in the Maryville College (TN)
choir, and when, during rehearsal, the director (Harry
Harter) would abruptly say "You, and you, and you, and you" (pointing
successively to individuals in the the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass sections) come up here
and sing this passage!" Instead of "Divide and Conquer", "Divide and
Educate"! I am convinced that college choirs are the most important
gateway our young people have to the world of classical music, and they
deserve our enthusiastic support.
-Glenn A. Gentry