Ripon College choirs to perform Choral Collage Concert Feb. 16

Ripon College’s choirs will honor members of the senior class during the Choral Collage Concert Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3:15 p.m. in Demmer Recital Hall, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts.

The concert will feature all three of the College’s campus choral ensembles: Chamber Singers, Choral Union and Concert Choir. Each choir will sing a set of music, and then the three ensembles will join together at the end of the concert to sing the traditional Appalachian tune “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” arranged by J. David Moore.

The concert set list features compositions by Johannes Brahms, Eric Whitacre, Rosephanye Powell, Sarah Quartel and Chen Yi.

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities Paul Thompson will conduct the choirs and Adjunct Instructor of Music (Piano) Deb MacKenzie and retired Director of Liturgy and Music at Holy Family Parish Paul Thelen will play piano.

Music education students Owen Mehring and Rori Beatty will conduct pieces at the concert.

Beatty, a junior music education major with a choral emphasis and minor in psychology, has the opportunity to work with Ripon’s Concert Choir as an upperclassman.

Advanced students who complete their conducting and choral techniques coursework can be considered to conduct and work in front of an ensemble. If chosen, students choose a piece, rehearse it with the concert choir and conduct it at a concert as a way to gain hands-on experience while working toward completing their degree.

Beatty is conducting an Irish folk tune, “Down by the Sally Gardens,” arranged by John Vine. She said she’s largely conducting this piece for educational purposes, but also because it’s “a beautiful setting of a folk tune that fits concert choir.”

“My love for conducting is one that I have been able to find here at Ripon, and any opportunity to conduct is a pleasure,” Beatty said. “Additionally, I appreciate the chance to practice my rehearsing skills with a live ensemble.”

Beatty highly encourages everyone to attend to experience the performances of all three of Ripon’s choirs, showcasing a diverse range of repertoire that many have worked very hard to make happen.

She said Thompson has been a valuable mentor to her while she pursues her degree and develops her conducting skills.

“I appreciate the mentorship I’m able to receive while still a student, and I know I would not have this chance if Dr. Thompson didn’t put an enormous amount of care and intention in the work he does here,” Beatty said. “[The concert] will be a joyous sharing of music and an opportunity to build community.”