What is Texas A&M University most noted for? Answers from the person on the street might vary between the academic programs, like agriculture, business, and engineering, to the Corps of Cadets and Aggie Spirit, to the athletic program - but probably would not have anything to do with music. Well, our university does have music! There is a Department of Performance Studies in the College of Liberal Arts. And, there are all manner of opportunities for students to participate in musical groups, ranging from the venerable Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, to various instrumental and vocal ensembles.
Case in point: last week, Texas A&M’s president hosted the first President’s Grand Choral Concert on March 27 in Austin at the Long Center for Performing Arts, and the following day in Houston at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. These concerts were identical and featured three separate A&M musical groups: the Century Singers, the Singing Cadets, and the Women’s Chorus. Conducting duties were shared between David Kipp (Singing Cadets) and Jess Wade, of the A&M Choral Activities staff. It should be pointed out that not all of the members of these choral groups major in anything to do with music. They run the gamut, from science to business to liberal arts. The students demonstrated, however, that they are musically talented to a very high degree.
Now, this review could have turned out two ways: long, or really long. That is because the program was quite lengthy - to say nothing of ambitious. This was not a performance of a single classical work, such as the Mozart Requiem. It was a collection of more than thirty pieces, sung with piano accompaniment. Rather than detail all of them, some generalities will have to suffice, along with a few specific comments. The musical styles and sources were indeed wide-ranging. Everything from South American, to Czech and Slavic, to American, including traditional folk songs and spirituals. Each separate group performed music that seemed to showcase their singing abilities and possibilities. For example, the Century Singers opened the concert with Astor Piazzola’s “Libertango”, which was a breezy affair with repetitive rhythms, charming vocal writing, and a dynamic surge at the end. The same group also performed traditional spirituals and folk songs (some adapted by Copland) with panache, and a highlight was the famous “To Dream the Impossible Dream”, from Man of La Mancha.
The program truly offered great variety. There were some beautiful and spiritually moving works, like Franz Biebl’s setting of the “Ave Maria”, performed by the Singing Cadets. In this work, the antiphonal sounds derived from a physical separation of the singers was superbly achieved. It was especially impressive in the setting of the immense and beautiful St. Martin’s Church. Now a few words about the Women’s Chorus. This group, who we were told will tour Central Europe including the Czech Republic later in the year – turned in splendid renditions of “On Top of Old Smoky” which was great fun (the young ladies sounded like sassy Texas girls as they sang “They’ll hug you and kiss you”), a very moving “Shenandoah”, as well as several other works. Each time, the clarity of the singing allowed for all the words to be heard. Tempos, phrasings, and dynamics were near perfect, under the direction of conductor Wade.
Returning to the David Kipp’s Singing Cadets – perhaps the most memorable moments of the concert for the audiences came when three young men stepped out from their places and performed songs in the manner of the famous pop singing group, The Temptations. This not only required a change of attire (from Corps uniform to maroon blazers), but also a change of attitude! The results were impressive and at times, quite humorous: what a show! Additionally, the ensemble showed its versatility in a performance of a work not listed in the program, “The Creation”, in which a section “And there was light” was absolutely stunning. It is difficult to describe the composer’s conception of this piece other than to say that it made for an amazing few minutes of music.
I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the superb artistry of the two pianist accompanists, veteran Condy Carter and student Chris Hoffman. Of special note, it was quite satisfying to hear a spirited (pun intended) rendition of “The Spirit of Aggieland” performed in Austin, behind the “Orange Curtain”, as it were. Of extra special note, President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara attended the Houston performance, and were enthralled. What an honor and privilege for these young Aggies to have in their audience a former President of the United States of America.
In sum, after the last note had died away and the applause ended, both conductors as well as the university president must have been brimming with pride and satisfaction for these young Aggie musicians. This is because in each venue - Austin and Houston - despite different lighting, different acoustics, and different configurations of space available for the performers - a very important consideration – the results were uniformly excellent, and the audiences were moved. None who attended could deny the success of this first Presidential Choral Concert – so let’s hope that there will be many more of them.
-Peter S. Murano