CMU Choirs Presenting Spring Concert

• WHAT:                  Spring Choral Concert
• WHERE:                Moss Performing Arts Center Robinson Theatre
• WHEN:                  Thursday, March 19; 7:30 pm
• ADMISSION:          $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students
• INFORMATION:      Box Office at 970-248-1604

On Thursday evening, March 19^th, CMU's Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and vocal jazz ensemble "Vocal Chords" will combine for a special spring choral concert. Dr. Monte Atkinson, Director of Choral Activities at CMU, directs the ensembles. Also featured as guest choir will be the Chamber Choir of Montrose High School, directed by Cheryl Lew. The Montrose HS Chamber Choir has twice joined with CMU choirs under Dr. Atkinson in concerts at Carnegie Hall, New York. As Mrs. Leu retires this spring after 20 years of building and leading the vibrant choral program at Montrose High School, the CMU Choral Program has invited her and her Montrose High School Chamber Choir to appear in concert with CMU one more time. A special farewell will be sung by all choirs combined with the opening solo sung by graduates from her program who are now attending CMU.

Appearing with CMU Chamber Choir will be Javier de los Santos, renowned CMU faculty guitarist, in a haunting and beautiful new choral work for solo baritone, choir and guitar by new Italian composer Roberto di Marino; baritone senior Michael Miller is soloist. CMU Chamber Choir will also perform feature works by Renaissance composers G. Gabrieli and Sweelinck, and late Romantic era Russian composer Sergei Taneyev's beautiful part song "Evening" in the original language.

CMU Concert Choir will present an eclectic program from Mozart's symphonic Kyrie in d minor to contemporary 20^th and 21^st century works, including the world premiere of "Creation" by Grand Junction composer Gary Smith, written for choir and prepared tape.  This work premiered by Concert Choir is the opening work on Mr. Smith's latest CD of original works "Cosmos."

CMU Vocal Chords, with jazz combo, Doug Morrow, will entertain audience members with nostalgic jazz standards "Here's that Rainy Day" featuring baritone/tenor Levi Willis, "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter", and ballad "I'll Be Seeing You".

Graduating choral education majors will also be featured as student conductors.

Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 970-248-1604.