GMU Academic Choir Performs in New York
The GMU Academic Choir recently completed its longest tour to date in the USA. The choir travelled thousands of kilometres to take part in the Spring Concert at the invitation of the Barnard-Columbia Chorus.
Originally scheduled in 2020, but cancelled on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, the group waited three years to appear at the event.
This year, everything went to plan and on 22nd of April, the choir sang Dvorák's "Te Deum Laudamus" and Zoltán Kodály's "Missa Brevis" at St Paul's Chapel at Columbia University in New York.
Dvorák's piece was performed in connection with the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. The cantata was commissioned by American philanthropist Jeannette Thurber. More than 130 years after the premiere of the work at New York's Carnegie Hall on 21 October 1892, the GMU Academic Choir had the honour of performing the piece in the same city.
"Missa Brevis" was composed in underground buildings during the bombardment of Budapest in the Second World War. The piece was first performed in the changing room of the Opera House during the siege of the city. "Missa Brevis" comes across as a call for peace and therefore finds relevance in today's geopolitical climate.
The choirs were joined by accomplished soloists Ana Victoria Serna, Gabrielle Ferrari, Mike He, Daniel Kim and Warren McCombs, and each piece was performed with orchestral accompaniment, and expertly conducted by Gail Archer.
On Sunday 23rd April 2023, in the Blessed Sacrament Church, the Academic GMU Choir performed two acapella pieces from its repertoire - "Hail King Wyborn" by A. Koszewski and "Abendlied" by J. Rheinberger. On this occasion, the Choir performed alone during a Holy Mass said at the New York church.
The opportunity to perform in front of an audience on another continent, work with the American choir, visit New York, and spend valuable time as a group, combined to give the Choir members an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. And all is not over. The Barnard-Columbia Chorus will shortly be visiting and performing in Gdynia.
More details will follow soon.
