In our continuing celebration of returning safely to in-person rehearsals and concerts, Channel Islands Choral Association is proud to present Morten Lauridsen’s landmark and stunning choral composition, “Lux Aeterna.” Under the skillful baton of Dr. KuanFen Liu and the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, local community members of CICA will be partnered with the CSU Channel Islands University Chorus, the Santa Paula High School Concert Choir and the Ventura High School Chorale in a Choral Spectacular, June 4 and 5. Additionally, the combined choruses have been invited to participate in CSUCI’s Arts Under the Stars, an integrative, multimedia event that showcases creative, scholarly, service and community projects on the CSUCI campus through performance and collaboration. AUTS will be presented on May 7. Stay tuned to this website for updates, concert times and locations.
Recording Questions AND TIPS
Singers! How’s it going with your recordings? If you have questions or tips, please offer them here!
Two-Way Conversation
Dr. Raquel Baker, Assistant Professor of English, CSU Channel Islands
In our April 5th rehearsal, we will be joined by Dr. Baker to reflect on the following:
How do you use choral music to promote equality?
• What has been your experience of performing choral music by Black composers?
• Why have you chosen to do a show with only Black composers?
• Do you usually include Black composers in your performances?
• Given the current upsurge of anti-Asian violence, how might we advocate for Asian Americans at this time?
Music that Speaks
Thinking through the words and listening to the harmonies, what is currently speaking to you in the music we are performing? What images are you picturing as you begin to bring this music to life?
Walking through the valley
The uncredited words of Undine Smith Moore’s arrangement of the African American spiritual, “We Shall Walk Through the Valley” speak to that walk as being one done “in peace.” Define for yourself what that means, and also speak to the characteristics you feel essential to doing so during challenging times.
What Memory Would You Share?
In her song, “Wanting Memories,” Ysaye M. Barnwell writes, “Now the world outside is such a cold and bitter place, here inside I have few things that will console… I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.”
What do those among us who are not from underrepresented minorities (URMS) have to learn about resilience in the face of hardship from those from URMS? Those who are from URMS, what stories of resilience do you have to offer?
