Author: Sam Slesinger
I’m ashamed to admit that I have never been to a choral concert. Deductively, I have never seen Occidental’s famed student choir group, the Glee Club. This changed on Friday, Nov. 14 as I stood in a line of at least 60 concertgoers, patiently shuffling into Thorne Hall for Glee Club’s annual Homecoming performance.
I settled into a seat flanking the stage from the right and the show began five minutes later. The lights dimmed and the audience promptly silenced. In black suits and dresses, the members of Glee Club strode on stage, beaming. Without a word, Glee Club’s Interim Director and Conductor Desiree La Vertu swung her arms downward, and the concert began. “Justorum Animae,” a 16th century Orlandus Lassus composition, was the first song to grace my ears. Students belted out high tones and then low tones. The progression culminated in a bold, full sound that warmed up the cold auditorium.
“It’s an honor for me to stand before the Occidental Glee Club Choir,” La Vertu said, following healthy applause.Glee Club proceeded to perform a classical three-song set before Cadence – the student-led male a capella group – jubilantly took the stage. They were a spectacle, to be certain. With polished, choreographed dance routines, (including an appearance by the “worm” move) they performed a varied five-song set.
Farva Sutton (first-year) led the club in the Tenacious D song “Tribute,” followed by a theatrical medley of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Final Countdown” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” “We are but men…rock!” Sutton shouted defiantly during the performance. These powerfully spoken words did not require logic to move me the way that they did.
Mandla Gobledale (junior) then performed his own composition “LA LA,” a bouncy tune that appraised L.A.’s sunny weather. Other highlights included a beautiful arrangement of “A Day in the Life,” and N*SYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” back by popular demand according to Cadence Director Stephen Bent (senior).
Glee Club returned to the stage to perform two 20th century pieces, including David Conte’s “The Waking” with accompanying pianist Alan Geier.
The Accidentals – the student-led female counterpart to Cadence – then assumed the spotlight with another relic of the late 90’s pop craze, Christina Aguilera’s “Come on Over.” Among other performances, Liz Rodgers (first-year) captivated the audience with her solo vocals in “The Way I am,” gracefully gliding between notes, and Kristine Nowlain (first-year) exposed the audience to the “lesser- known” single “Maps,” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Glee Club again took the stage to cap off the night, performing a diverse set of Johannes Brahms, Henrique de Curitiba and the technically difficult Russian Folksong, “Véñiki.”
As per tradition, former Glee Club members were invited onstage to perform Oxy’s “Football Medley” with their peers. The audience stood to participate in reciting “Occidental Fair” before the lights went up at 9:05 p.m.
Without hesitation, I can say that Friday’s performance was a success. The audience reaction – unrestrained applause, to be accurate – corroborates my judgment.
If you’re like me, and you haven’t taken full advantage of the incredible talent that Oxy’s Glee Club students have to offer, then I challenge you to get out more. Your roommate singing in the shower is no substitute for a performance of this caliber.
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