Redland's School of Music Shakes Things Up

The music was so powerful Friday night at the University of Redlands School of Music's Spring Choral Concert that the audience could almost feel the earth shaking. In fact, it took a moment for audience members in the Memorial Chapel to realize that what they were feeling was an actual earthquake that hit near the La Habra area around 9:09 p.m. During bass singer Justin Staudigl's solo, the seats began to rock back and forth and the lights that hung from above swayed and flickered, but in true show business fashion, he continued belting out the beautiful notes. After all, the show must go on. The Chapel Singers, directed by Dr. Nicholle Andrews, were able to calmly finish the rest of their piece and end the night on a beautiful note, despite the earthquake. They performed Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata for Chorus OP.30 by Benjamin Britten which was based on a poem Jubilate Agno by Christopher Smart. The free concert began like any other choral concert, with Director Dr. Joseph Modica taking the stage and opening the night with the University Choir singing Mozart's Missa Brevis in D minor, K.65 complete with four outstanding solos. Dr. Joseph Modica, even took time to recognize the eight graduating seniors who proudly came forward and stood center stage to be recognized for their accomplishments. They then ended up their segment with Dietrich Buxtehude's Cantate Domino Canticum Novum before the next group, the Bel Canto Singers took the stage. The all female Bel Cantos were also directed by Dr. Joseph Modica. The group of 27 singers beautifully sang Holst's Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda, as well as Three Marian Songs, including Ave Maris Stella, a Robert Schumann piece that Thomas Cuffari, a close friend of Modica, wrote lyrics to. The talented Altos and Sopranos ended their performance with a joyful version of Ave Maria. The night served as a reflection of the hard work that the students put into their music, and even an earthquake could not outshine the wonderful voices of the University Choir, Bel Canto Singers, and Chapel Singers.