Orchestra Follows 'Traveling' Composers

Going along with Albion College's Global Diversity Year, the Albion College Symphony Orchestra presents a "travel"-themed concert Sunday, February 24, at 4 p.m. in the College's Goodrich Chapel.

The concert features four of the classical canon's most popular works, all named for locations visited or imagined by the composers. "We had a lot of fun choosing the program," said associate conductor Drew Dunham. "We came up with a long list of great music that was inspired by travel and cultures foreign to the composers."

The program includes Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien," Rimsky-Korsakov's "Capriccio Espagnol," Griffes' "The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan" and Granger favorite "Irish Tune from County Derry."

This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Albion College Music Department, 517/629-0481, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Chicago-Based Russian Choirs Visit Albion for Strickler Concert

Chicago’s Golosa Russian Choir and Ensemble Alioni treat Albion to an afternoon of traditional Russian and Georgian music for the 2013 David L. Strickler Memorial Concert. The music starts Sunday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. in Goodrich Chapel.

Golosa is a Russian folk choir founded in 1997 at the University of Chicago with the mission of preserving and promoting traditional of folk singing. Golosa's diverse repertoire is gathered from diverse sources, including old Soviet Melodiya recordings and contemporary artists. The ensemble has traveled to the remote Siberian Transbaikal region, discovering and researching Cossack folk songs, in order to present this unique music in an authentic style.

Ensemble Alioni, directed by Albion College choral director Clayton Parr, performs Georgian folk songs, whose traditional polyphonic style is designated by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The David L. Strickler Concert series was established in 1992 by Albion College alumni and other friends of Strickler and of Albion College. The series recognizes Strickler’s long tenure (1943-76) as conductor of the Albion College Choir by inviting distinguished choral ensembles to Albion College and the Albion community.

This performance is free and open to the public. For more information about music department events, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 517/629-0481.

Singers of United Lands Returns to Goodrich Chapel

A local international favorite, Singers of United Lands (S.O.U.L.) returns in concert Wednesday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Albion College Goodrich Chapel.

S.O.U.L. is a vocal quartet formed with singers from four different countries, who spend a year teaching and performing throughout the U.S. Founded by Albion College alumnus Marcus LaPratt. S.O.U.L. has a mission to develop international and cultural relationships through vocal music from around the world. S.O.U.L. provides workshop, presentations, performances, and lessons for audiences of all ages. The singers focus on international vocal music, world history, and linguistics from their four native countries.

This year, S.O.U.L. members come from Ireland, Guatemala, the Philippines, and Russia.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Albion College Music Department at 517/629-0481. More details about S.O.U.L. are available at www.singersofunitedlands.org.

Vocalists Win Statewide Competition Awards

Abigail Leitch (left) and McKenzie Schafer earned top awards in the Michigan NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) solo vocal auditions held recently on the campus of Grand Valley State University. Leitch earned first place in the First-Year College Women category, while Schafer took third place among Second-Year College Women. Both are voice students of Albion professor Maureen Balke.

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