The Castleton University Chorale and Chamber Singers recently blended together the power of music and inclusivity as they performed their December winter concert, titled the Universal Language of Song, celebrating the many nationalities of the Castleton community. The concert included pieces in ten different languages from nearly a dozen countries including Syria, China, Latvia, Mexico, Cuba, Israel, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria, Spain and the United States.
“The students really enjoyed learning pieces from different countries and in different styles,” said Sherrill Blodget, Castleton Music department chair and director of choral activities. “We had native language speakers come into choir to work with us on pronunciation, which was really neat.”
An additional specialty piece performed at the concert included “Land of the Free” by contemporary Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker. Last spring Walker personally asked the group to premier the piece, a new and unique arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner.
Walker came to campus for a rehearsal in November and worked with students to make changes in dynamics and articulation in preparation for the performance.
“The process was very interesting and fun for the students,” said Blodget. “When we performed the piece at our concert a number of people commented afterwards that they found it to be very profound and well arranged, and a reminder of all the things we want out country to be.”