by Danielle Skinner ('27)
Tonight at 6:30 p.m. Houghton University’s (HU) Chamber Choir will be performing in the Center for the Arts (CFA) Atrium. The performance is titled The Door of Paradise.
The Chamber Choir is the most elite of HU’s choirs and requires a year-long commitment. Only sixteen spots are available that students must audition for.
The choir is directed by Dr. Kevin Dibble, the Associate Director of the Greatbatch School of Music, Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music.
Junior Susannah Denham ‘26, a choir member since the spring of 2024, explained that the Chamber Choir is unique compared to other campus choirs.
“We don’t usually perform music for large choirs and we do mostly a cappella pieces,” Denham noted. “Since we only rehearse twice a week, less than any other choir on campus, everyone is a strong musician and confident in sight reading.”
Denham commented on the importance of the “performer-audience relationship.” The ensemble needs the audience, and she said the choir wants to share their hard work and “this beautiful combination of pieces” with listeners.
“Personally I’m excited to perform these pieces for family and friends,” Denham said, and added that “Dr. Dibble has arranged a beautiful collection of compositions, each with a story and depth behind them.”
In addition to traditional and modern pieces, the choir will also perform pieces composed by HU students and faculty.
“Each piece is truly incredible,” she said.
Denham stated that out of their music selection, she particularly enjoys “Song for Athene”, “Entreat Me Not to Leave You” and “Heart Fire”. “Song for Athene” is a musical composed by John Tavener with lyrics by Mother Thekla, an Orthodox nun. It was written after Tavener’s family friend, Athene Hariades, was killed in a cycling accident. “Entreat Me Not to Leave You” is one of Dan Forrest’s best-known a cappella pieces based on Ruth’s plea in the Bible. “Heart Fire” is composed by Carrie Magin (https://www.carriemagin.com/store/heart-fire) who explained it “expresses a raw abandon that comes from the beauty of experience and from the natural world around us.”
Denham advised attendees to “pay attention to the texts and how the music supports them and creates a specific atmosphere.”
Faculty and students alike are encouraged to attend the performance. ★
