Ruth’s Blog

The Fort Hays Singers, Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble gave two and a half concerts yesterday evening–the separate parts did not often mix. The Wind Ensemble provided a dramatic general introduction with “East Wind” by William O. Smith, a modern work composed partly of “chance techniques, while taking spatial advantage of the performance hall” (program note).  After the audience had been seated, some of the members of the group formed a circle around the auditorium while director Jeff Jordan conducted from its center.   

            The Fort Hays Singers then took over, sounding as good as ever despite heavy losses through graduation.  Also as ever, they sang complex music from several traditions without accompaniment and entirely from memory.  Everyone chuckled at their closing number, “My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth” by P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742—conductor Terry Crull pointed out P.D.Q. lived his life backward–of course, we all know P.D.Q. is a fictional character created more than forty years ago by composer Peter Schickele). 

            One of the highlights of the concert was the performance of Franz Josef Haydn’s “Missa Brevis Sti. Joannis de Deo” (Short Mass of St. John of God, composed for the religious order the saint founded) by the Concert Choir and the FHSU Strings, with soloists Amanda Pfenninger, soprano and Tom Meagher, organ.  Crull led everyone in this; Matt Means conducts the Strings.  The Latin text of this Mass is hard to understand—since everyone in Haydn’s audience knew all the words anyway, the choir frequently sings several different lines simultaneously.  But the music is glorious and the choir, strings and soloists did it full justice despite a major disruption.  Pfenninger had just begun the “Benedictus” (Blessed is he…) when one of the tenors fainted, fell off the riser with a loud thump, and had to be carried out by several other choir members.  Everyone else, professionals all, continued the Mass without interruption.  Fortunately, at last report the tenor had suffered only a small cut and was otherwise in good shape.

            After a short intermission the Wind Ensemble returned with several selections, two of which highlighted this part of the concert.  The first was “Whoosh!” by conductor Jeff Jordan. Jordan wrote in an e-mail, “This will be the second performance.  The first was in 2007 at the High Plains Band Camp with the camp Honor Band. It’s a big fanfare-like work, but there are also some moments of lyricism.” 

            The second highlight was Frank Ticheli’s “An American Elegy,” written, according to the composer’s program note, “in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors.”  As it was performed here, singers introduced the Columbine Alma Mater from the balcony. Then the ensemble, with soloists Jonathan Yust, offstage trumpet; and Brian Keller, alto sax, performed the “Elegy,” a lyrical and moving work containing a quotation of the Alma Mater.  The entire concert earned standing applause from most of the audience.

            The next event in the FHSU series will be the Hays Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 7, 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church.