By Jasely Molina
PSU Cardinal Singers and College Chorale collaborated to perform in SUNY Plattsburgh
Department of Music’s annual Choralfest concert, April 15 at the Plattsburgh United Methodist
Church.
Members of the PSU and Plattsburgh community gathered to watch and listen as Cardinal
Singers and College Chorale celebrated the works of Faure, Brahms, Dowland, and Hans Leo
Hassler. Cardinal Singers and College Chorale performed separate selections but merged
together to perform Faure’s “Requiem.” Choralfest directed by Jo Ellen Miano featured the
talents of Soprano Ayrice Wilson and Baritone Darik Knutsen in Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.”
Choralfest typically takes place in E. Glenn Giltz auditorium at SUNY Plattsburgh;
however, the Plattsburgh United Methodist Church provided the choirs with the acoustics and
organ essential to bring out the best quality. “We do have an electric organ that we could ship
anywhere, but there’s no comparison with the quality of the organ. I wanted to find a venue that
had a beautiful organ. The church was also very flexible and worked with us in terms of
equipment. They did a lot and really accommodated for us, ” Miano said.
The event began with College Chorale’s rendition of Dowland’s “What If I Never Speed,”
Brahms’ “Wondrous Cool, Thou Woodland Quiet” and Hassler “Cantate Domino.” After that,
Cardinal Singers performed Brahms’ Motet, Op. 29. An intermission followed as the orchestra
arranged its instruments, which consisted of violas, cellos, bass, harp, French horns and pipe
organ. Shortly after, Cardinal Singers and College Choir united to perform “Requiem.
Professional Opera Singer Darik Knutsen joined the choirs and performed the baritone solo
in “Requiem” titled “Libera Me.” PSU Senior Ayrice Wilson performed the soprano solo “Pie
Jesu.”
“I’m really happy. This is a special piece for me. It is really touching. I haven’t done this
song in four years. It brought up a lot of memories, ” Knutsen said. Knutsen was contacted
through Miano and a former music student to fill in for the former baritone soloist. He was able
to rehearse with Miano prior to the show. He believes that the orchestra and choirs has a warm
ambience and sound. “It was lovely, we put together a nice audience,” he said.
The choirs, orchestra, and soloists were met with applause from the audience. College
Chorale Tenor Tyler Lefleur found Choralfest to be an unforgettable experience. “This was my
second time participating in ChoralFest. It was a lot of fun to have the orchestra accompany the
choirs. The orchestra and choir complemented each other and gave the pieces a personal and
warm touch, ” Lefleur said. He explained that he had spent a lot of time working on learning the
song and solidifying the notes.
PSU Senior Mariah Santiago attended Choralfest and was “blown away” by the
performance. This was her first time attending anything music related in Plattsburgh; however,
she intends on going to more shows. “I loved how professional everyone sounded. I wouldn’t
have been able to tell that these were college students. It was a job well done,” she said.
Miano sees this year’s Choralfest as a success. She is excited about the next steps for the
Cardinal Singers and College Choir. Next semester, both choirs will be merging into “Concert
Choir.”
“What we have have been doing for years with Choralfest, merging the two groups
together, we’ll now have for the whole semester. I’m really excited for that,” Miano said.
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