Arts, Etc.Music

Choir returns from four-state tour

Scott Farthing, assistant professor of music and director of choral and vocal studies, and the 45-member La Verne Chorale went on its first tour in more than six years. The tour began in Modesto then made its way to Portland, Ore.; Nampa, Idaho; Reno, Nev.; and finally back to La Verne. On Sunday the Chorale performed at the Church of the Brethren, bringing its tour to a close. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz
Scott Farthing, assistant professor of music and director of choral and vocal studies, and the 45-member La Verne Chorale went on its first tour in more than six years. The tour began in Modesto then made its way to Portland, Ore.; Nampa, Idaho; Reno, Nev.; and finally back to La Verne. On Sunday the Chorale performed at the Church of the Brethren, bringing its tour to a close. / photo by Reina Santa Cruz

by Nila Priyambodo
Assistant Editor

The University of La Verne’s choir, consisting of 45 undergraduate students, wrapped up its five day tour with a performance Sunday at the La Verne Church of the Brethren.

The performance included a wide variety of choral music, with songs ranging from the Renaissance period to the 20th century.

Works performed included a song from Africa called “Kpanlongo;” three songs that promoted peace, called “Song of Peace,” “Soldier’s Elegy” and “God Bless America,” and a song written by Scott Farthing, assistant professor of music and director of choral and vocal studies, called “Come Travel With Me.”

“Tonight’s performance is all about the power of music,” Farthing said. “The music we sing tonight uplifts our soul.”

Performances were made by the chorale, the women’s choir, the men’s ensemble and Carol Stephenson, the University’s singing coach.

Stephenson sang four songs written by Farthing – “Sustain Me,” “Psalm 412,” “I Know Love” and “How Many Ways?”

In the end, a standing ovation was given to the choir by a packed crowd, consisting of ULV faculty and students, choir members’ friends and families and the public.

“The performance tonight went really well,” junior alto singer Angela Busch said. “It got really emotional in the end. Almost everyone in the choir wanted to cry.”

Elide Flores, a freshman, was one of the many people who enjoyed the show.

“I have never seen them perform before,” Flores said, “But this was a great first experience. I loved the way it all came together. It was a really nice performance.”

Freshman Irene Beltran agreed with Flores.

“I was really impressed by their performance. They sounded good together and you can tell they’ve been working hard,” she said.

The five-day tour set up by Julia Wheeler, the church relations liaison to the Church of the Brethren, included performances in churches in Modesto, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Nampa, Idaho; and Reno, Nev.

“I wanted to create ways for the church and the community to get together,” Wheeler said. “I am so happy to have this happen and to mix the University with the church.”

According to Farthing, the last choir tour was in 1992 when Bruce Hirsch was the choral director, so the students are thankful to have this opportunity.

“We just wanted to get the music out there,” said sophomore tenor singer Steven Andrews.

“The tour was really fun and we want to continue it every year and make it a tradition.”

Freshman soprano Yelena Orchavenko also enjoyed going on tour and wants to make the tour a tradition.

“The tour was awesome,” Orchavenko said.

“It was more than I expected, but it allowed me to bond with the choir.”

Overall, Farthing believes the performance, as well as the tour, went well.

“It was a wonderful trip,” Farthing said. “I am very proud of the students.”

Nila Priyambodo
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Reina Santa Cruz
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