2008 Woodie Awards
Choir Spring Concert Entertains with Classics
Jessica Bourse
Issue date: 6/11/08 Section: Entertainment
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The groups performing included the Glendale College Choir, Pops Ensemble, and the newly formed Opera Vignettes.
The audience fell silent as the lights dimmed, then applauded when Campbell walked on stage and welcomed everyone.
"Keep Your Lamps," arranged by Andre Thomas, was the first piece of the night. It started off with simple percussion, played by Emerson Galicia. As Galicia kept a steady beat, the choir emerged from both wings of the stage, and filled the empty risers.
The simple combination of voices and percussion proved to be a brilliant piece to kick off the night.
The choir then sang "Anvil Chorus," from Giuseppe Verdi's "Il Trovatore." Accompanist Brian Hanke played the piano while the choir's voices rang in perfect harmony.
The third piece, Franz Shubert's "Kyrie" from "Mass in G," was an extremely melodic and magnificent piece. Soprano Alex Sanfilippo sang a gorgeous solo which made the piece even more enjoyable.
After "Ah, El Novio No Quire Dinero," a 15th-century Sephardic wedding song, the Opera Vignettes took stage.
Baritone Ararat Gharzian sang Guillaume Louis Cottrau's "Santa Lucia." Gharzian's strong voice resonated through the auditorium as his hands trembled at his sides.
Tenor Derik Dermegerdichian sang the famous aria, "E Lucevan Le Stelle," from Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca." Written in the key of B minor, Dermegerdichian sang this heart-wrenching solo was beautifully, as he was flawlessly accompanied by Hanke.
The Pops Ensemble took the stage, along with musical director Charles Ion and accompanist Su Hyun Jue.
Their first piece was a Gershwin medley, arranged by John Higgens. Bits and pieces were sung from songs such as "Rhapsody in Blue" (1924), "The Man I Love" (1924), "Embraceable You" (1930), "I Got Rhythm" (1930), and "I've Got a Crush on You" (1930).
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