free admission
The Laurentian Singers, a select coeducational choir of 21 undergraduate singers, continues its 75-plus year tradition of choral excellence at St. Lawrence University. The group has won wide acclaim since its founding in 1946, and, in addition to their many performances on campus and in the North Country, the ensemble has toured extensively. In recent years, they have performed in San Francisco, New Orleans, Trinidad and Tobago, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, singing for enthusiastic audiences and meeting with other choirs. Their wide-ranging repertoire, drawn from musics of many styles and countries, reflects the spirit of the liberal arts experience at St. Lawrence. The Laurentian Singers includes undergraduate students who represent a wide variety of academic majors and interests.
This tour marks the end of director Barry Torres’ 25-year career at St. Lawrence. Coming full circle, he first directed the Laurentian Singers on tour at First Untitarian Universalist Society in March 1999.
The eclectic program, begins with a set of sacred music from a 5 century span featuring works by Felix Mendelssohn (Heilig), Johannes Ciconia (Gloria), Josquin DesPrez (Ave verum corpus) and William Byrd (Ne irascaris Domine). Two Italian Renaissance madrigals by Jacques Arcadelt (Il bianco e docle cigno) and Monteverdi (Non piú guerra) follow. LS alto Karni Keushgarian ’25 will lead the Singers in two Armenian folksongs (Chem grna and Ghapama. A West Side Story set follows featuring Tonight and Somewhere. The concert will close with two iconic American “feel good” songs, Lionel Richie’s All Night Long and the Beach Boys classic Good Vibrations. Keeping up a cherished tradition, the Laurentian Singers will invite alumni to join them in singing their beloved School Soings, including the Alma Mater, written by Hollywood songwriter and lyricist J.K. Gannon ’24.
About St. Lawrence University:
Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University is a private, independent liberal arts institution of about 2,250 students located in Canton, New York. The educational opportunities at St. Lawrence inspire students and prepare them to be critical and creative thinkers, to find a compass for their lives and careers, and to pursue knowledge and understanding for the benefit of themselves, humanity and the planet. Through its focus on active engagement with ideas in and beyond the classroom, a St. Lawrence education leads students to make connections that transform lives and communities, from the local to the global. Visit www.stlawu.edu.