Davis Composers Collective

I recently attended a concert on May 4, 2002 featuring a choir. The concert lasted about an hour flat. The concert was held at the University California of Davis Shields Library near the stairwell at the main lobby. The concert begun at approximately 8pm.

The concert had many pieces totaling 10 in all. The pieces are as follows: "Chaster's Wood," "A Splendid Feast," "Three Lullabies," "Nun will das Land," "Cancion de la Nona," "Croyez-vous," "Roses," "Averros," and "Lament of the Virgin Mary." The final song was not listed on the program so I don't know its name. Fortunately the concert was free and fun.

The first piece was really short. The first piece was a trio sung by three women. The second piece began immediately after. A semi circle was formed that faced the audience. One of the singers became the conductor who stood off to the side while she conducted. One woman in particular watched the conductor very closely. The conductor made noticeable hand motions similar to what we were taught in class. The next several pieces lasted only a few short minutes.

The singers from the first song sung most of the following songs. "Three Lullabies" was a song sung that sounded very exciting then slowed down. "Nun will das Land" used an instrument accompaniment - the xylophone. "Averros" seemed like the absolute shortest piece of all. The last piece "Lament of the Virgin Mary" definitely sounded the best to the large audience and me.

"Lament of the Virgin Mary" sounded by far the best and most exciting piece of all. The piece was an aria. The piece started off with a solo singer. She sang with great passion and almost looked like she was crying while she sang. She made short pauses and people off to the side made various musical sounds, which offset the pace a little. She sang so strongly her face turned a blood red color. The lament was the longest piece, and much longer than the previous ones. Eventually the choir joined in on the singing at the appropriate time. When the choir joined in the singing, the music got extremely loud and exciting. One woman kept singing above the rest of the choir the word "Centering." The piece ended with soft whistle playing similar to the sound of humming.

The program clearly lists all the finer details about each piece, their meanings, and what's used. For example the program lists all the words to certain songs. Also, the program provides a biography. "A Splendid Piece" is a poem, "Three Lullabies" is an a cappella piece, the "Lament of the Virgin Mary" is an aria composed of both a solo and choral part. Overall the concert felt very fast paced because the songs were very fast and one song began right after another. There were no intermissions or long breaks between songs. The concert ended at 9pm with everyone applauding with great content.