Guest Artists, Creative Collaborations, and Artistic Beauty Abound!

In the Department of Music and Theatre at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), we sometimes proclaim "We are small, but mighty!" to try to describe the creativity, passion, and resourcefulness of the faculty and students to produce the many high quality events throughout each year, enriching the College community and the Wabash Valley. As an example, read about all of the wonderful events presented by "the little department that could" during the month of April.

McIntyre rehearsing the Chamber Choir

On April 7, 2016, Dr. John McIntyre presented his compositions in a diverse and exciting program, featuring a vocal ensemble of professional singers from four different states, the Indiana State University Brass Ensemble, and many more performers, including Michael Boswell, Associate Professor of Music, and Ron Maurey, Instructor of Music, at SMWC. This program brought an energy to the Conservatory and the campus and was very well attended. Below is one beautiful setting by Dr. McIntyre of the hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" performed on this concert. 

Professional Ensemble Singers
following concert

Dr. John McInytre, composer, with
colleague/singer Michael Boswell

Then, on April 22, 2016, Guest Artist and Grammy winner Estelí Gomez, soprano, arrived on campus to begin rehearsing with the SMWC Chorale and Madrigals, along with Director Michael Boswell and Guest Artist Dr. Michael Boney, organ. The Department posted a couple of sneak peeks prior to the Spring Choral Concert on Sunday, April 24th, and Norwegian composer of the "Magnificat", Kim André Arnesen posted one of them on his own Facebook page.

Guest Artists with SMWC faculty M. Boswell

On Saturday April 23rd, Gomez facilitated a Voice Master Class in Cecilian Auditorium with three of our SMWC music students (Nathan Mensah, senior; Allison Payonk, sophomore; and Kristin Foster, freshman), one ISU music student and a student from Terre Haute North High School. The master class lasted 2 1/2 hours and the students commented that it went by too quickly! They learned so much in a short time and Gomez was able to provide some new context to pieces they have been working on all semester.

SMWC Music Faculty and Guest Artists E. Gomez and C. Davin

The Spring Choral Concert on Sunday, April 24th, titled Northern Lights: Exploring the Choral Music of Scandinavia, took place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The audience first heard Estelí Gomez, soprano soloist, on "Norwegian Trilogy" arranged by Margaret King. Estelí was standing in the balcony and took many audience members by surprise. Then, as SMWC music faculty Sharon R. Boyle described how Boswell was able to bring Gomez to SMWC and also introduced the next piece, the Madrigals moved to the balcony, where Michael Boswell conducted the "Magnificat"by Kim André Arnesen with Michael Boney accompanying on the organ. As her soprano voice rang throughout the church, the Madrigals' voices joined her, and the beauty was palpable in the soaring melodic lines and harmonies. During the 4th movement, "Et Misericordia", many audience members expressed emotions by taking deep breaths, tearing up, closing their eyes, or smiling. The entire piece lasted more than 40 minutes, and the audience was asked to just take in the music and listen in silence until the very end. During the 6th movement, "Suscepit Israel", Gomez was joined in a duet by senior Christina Pifer. Following the concert, Pifer's mother was in tears, stating how important the experience had been for her daughter. Many in the audience seemed to be transported somewhere else as they listened, while others appeared prayerful or in meditation. The concert ended with a rousing piece titled "Safari", which involved Michael Boswell, conductor, turning to the audience and singing an enthusiastic solo, which was then answered by Estelí Gomez' own. The Chorale and Madrigals energetically responded by singing, clapping, and stomping as Gomez improvised an incredible yodel-like vocal line over the top.

 Ring Song following concert

Gomez with Christina Pifer, senior

On April 25, 2016, Gomez was joined by acclaimed guitarist Colin Davin for a Guest Artist Concert entitled Destinations Unknown: Songs of Home and Travel in Cecilian Auditorium. The duo presented Spanish pieces by Manuel de Falla, German pieces by Schumann and French pieces by Duparc. In this concert Estelí demonstrated again how she is able to adjust her vocal tone and placement to suit any style or nuance of a piece. Davin wowed the audience with his clear intention of each note, his technical prowess on the classical guitar, and the beautiful voicing he presented in the guitar melodies. The audience was able to truly enjoy hearing some of the finest musicians ever brought to our campus. Below is a piece "Sevillanas Del Siglo XVII" from Canciones espanolas antiguas by Lorca which demonstrates the energetic pairing of voice and guitar.

         Guest Artists with SMWC faculty member 

Richardson performing during live concert recording

The final event of the semester was the live concert recording of Dr. Tracy Richardson, on April 28, 2016 in Cecilian Auditorium. Her concert included covers of some of her favorite songs over several decades, in addition to her own songs, written in a range of styles including country, blues, gospel, and pop. The live recording will be used to create a CD to hopefully help fund a future recording project. The mellow sounds of her rich alto voice with the elegant picture of her playing a Steinway truly demonstrate the diversity of music offerings from the Department of Music and Theatre.

In writing about these artistic offerings and as an audience member, I feel there must truly be hope for humanity, having the ability to create such beauty. Congratulations to everyone involved in all our concerts, recitals, and productions throughout the 2015-16 academic year!

Students learn about life as a professional singer

For more information about the Department of Music and Theatre, please check out our website!

- Sharon R. Boyle, blog author, is Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program.

*All Photo Credits: Sharon R. Boyle

SMWC Homecoming Choral Concert 2015: There's No Place Like...Home

Pictured: SMWC Choirs with SP Schola Cantorum
Photo Credit: Anthony Dinkel

Another Homecoming at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has come and gone, but the connections remain. The theme of this year's Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Chorale and Madrigals Homecoming Concert was "There's No Place Like...Home". The music chosen for the program by Michael Boswell, Director of Choirs, truly emphasized this theme in many ways.

The concert opened with a piece entitled "Hark! On the Windswept Breton Shore" by LaFarge. The SMWC Chorale was joined by the Sisters of Providence Schola Cantorum providing a musical representation of their connection. 

Pictured: Madrigals with Michael Boswell
Photo Credit: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

The SMWC Madrigals then performed two pieces. The first was "The Angels Will Guide You Home" by Eleanor Daley, describing a Heavenly home, and the second piece was a beautiful arrangement by Andrea Ramsey titled "Travelin' Home". This piece also featured Sharilyn Spicknall playing violin. The beauty of this piece is difficult to articulate, but as the choir sang the word home at the very end, the violin sounded a sustained note to create such a peaceful moment. Here is a short clip from the beginning of this piece during the rehearsal prior to the concert.

Pictured: Alumnae and Student Choir chat during rehearsal break
Photo Credit: Sharon R. Boyle

The SMWC Chorale and twenty-five returning Alumnae then came together to sing several pieces. Director Michael Boswell spoke a few words before they began:

"We have alum singers returning this year whose graduation dates range from 1968-2015, and I think many of them may still feel like their returning today is a return home. Faculty and staff may work here for decades, literally raising their families here, but they are often connected to other institutions and other geographical locations as well. Still, I believe many of us consider Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to be 'home.' So, what is it about this place that holds on to all of us? There is certainly a special spiritual element here. On that, I think we can all agree. But what else is it?...this is a place where you feel connected to others. This is a place where you feel like part of a community. This is a place where you have importance. I think that what we have that makes this place feel like home, is each other."

Pictured: Current SMWC music students
Photo Credit: Sharon R. Boyle

The first piece, "Come to Shore" by Audrey Snyder was followed by "Never Far From Home" by Mark Patterson. The full sound of the Chorale and Alumnae longingly singing the text "I leave the hills that I have known, the woods and meadows I have roamed. The journey calls and I must go, but I will never be far from home" brought tears to some audience members' eyes.

The final piece "Like a Tree", by Margaret Douroux/Arr. Lon Beery, was a gospel piece encompassing challenges to be overcome, but also spoke of not giving up and remaining strong:

Just like a tree that's planted by the water, 

I shall not be moved.

Pictured Hanna Mills and Sidnie Crowley
Photo Credit: Sharon R. Boyle

Though the winds are blowing all around me, 

I shall not be moved.

These winds will never last. This storm is sure to pass. 

This trial is just a test. So I shall not be moved. 

Though winds of affliction sweep over my soul,

And billows and storm clouds continue to roll, 

I shall not be moved!

Pictured: SMWC Chorale and Alumnae
Photo Credit: Sharon R. Boyle

The concert ended with the singing of the three traditional songs song every year at Homecoming:
Our Lady of Providence.........
by Rose Angela Horan, S.P./Cecilia Clare Bocard, S.P.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Song......
by Gertrude Smith, S.P./Dorothy Newland '32
The Ring Song.....
by SMWC Class of 1962

As all other alumnae who were present in the church, along with all current students and Sisters of Providence, stood in a circle around the sanctuary singing "The Ring Song", one-by-one, each slowly reached out and held the hand of the person standing next to them. One-by-one, they began to link the circle by holding hands as the melody rang throughout the church. Those singing and those listening were filled with a sense of belonging to something special, of feeling connected to everyone in that space and all those who had come before...and some shed tears. There has been struggle and yet there is always hope for those who return year after year to reconnect and feel the true sense of community.

As we wait for our next return "home" to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College through a reunion or Homecoming, let us consider these words by Hildegard of Bingen:

Everything that is in the heavens, on earth, and under the earth

is penetrated with connectedness, penetrated with relatedness.

 

Pictured: Danielle and Roni O'Connor, alums
Photo Credit: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Photo Credit: Anthony Dinkel

Pictured: Accompanist, Ronald D. Maurey
Photo Credit: Sharon R. Boyle

List of students and alumnae present at Homecoming Concert

Rehearsal of Chorale and Alumnae Choir

Michael Boswell, Director
Ronald D. Maurey, Accompanist
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Maurey

Photo Credit: Sharon R. Boyle