Saturday, Sept. 27, the University Choir and Orchestra opened its season to a crowded Wilden Hall, transforming it into a place of worship. According to Conductor John Sutton, the concert was dedicated to Al Clifft, a former UCO director who died last month from a battle with cancer.
Conductor John Sutton leads the group. Photo credit: Hunter Foote
The group, which consists of both a choir and an orchestra, began with just the choir for the first set of songs. Rather than filing into the front, the choir encircled the audience on both the main floor and second-floor balcony of Wilden Hall for the first part of the performance. The two-story setup of Wilden’s atrium made the sound seem larger than life and echo throughout the building.
“It’s the best acoustic you’ll find at APU,” said senior business administration major Micah Kwok, a former member of UCO who attended the concert. “I think it’s always great because it’s very intimate and it doesn’t necessarily feel like a concert venue per se, but it’s very homey and it makes it feel genuine.”
After performing the first three songs, Sutton introduced “The Battle of Jericho” and said that it was a dedication to Clifft, “one of the cornerstones” of the group.
After singing upbeat “Sweet, Sweet Spirit,” the orchestra section came into Wilden and took its place in front of the audience. According to Sutton, the group used to just be called “University Choir” and had an orchestra to accompany. Then, one day, the orchestra had shirts made that said “And O,” so the name changed to accommodate both segments.
During the first song of the night that included both the choir and orchestra, the choir members left their positions among and behind the audience to file into risers in front of attendees and behind the orchestra.
After that, fifth-year music business major Sarah Nolan, fifth-year commercial music major Matt Bloyd and junior Christian ministries major Jessica Cabral sang solos during “God So Loved The World,” “Unto The Lamb,” and “God is Here,” respectively.
Choir soprano Ciera Bardowell, a junior commercial music with an emphasis in music business major, said “Unto The Lamb” was her favorite song of the night.
“I think that’s a song that’s easy to get lost in worship,” Bardowell said. “I think that is one of my favorites just because of the combination of the instrumentation and then the voices and the fact that everyone is able to worship to that song even though the words aren’t known. That’s what I love about it, that it’s very inclusive and so much is going on and it’s such a good worship song … and Matt Bloyd killed it.”
The choir, while encircling the audience, sings in Wilden Hall. Photo credit: Hunter Foote
Bardowell also mentioned how UCO has been preparing for this concert for over a month now. Part of that preparation included training during choir camp the week before school began and since then, practice three times a week.
After “Unto the Lamb,” Sutton announced that the group will be recording music this year for the first time in about 8-9 years.
“We’re recording two CDs. Be on the lookout [for] dropping in the spring,” said senior commercial music business major Nick McClellan, baritone and UCO president.
“There’s a really youthful spirit in UCO,” McClellan said. “UCO is used to having a bunch of alumni who already know the songs and know what to expect from a UCO worship service. This year, there are a lot of new people, young people, fresh spirits, fresh voices, who are coming in and having this brand new passion because they have never experienced what UCO is … and that just brings a youthful spirit that we haven’t had in a while.”
The concert ended with a time of prayer followed by two closing songs: “You Are Worthy” and “We Are Not Alone.” During the final song of the night, the choir and orchestra once again encircled the audience and UCO alumni were invited to join the circle of singers.
Bel Canto Women’s Choir will be the next choir event on Oct. 5 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Glendora Methodist Church.