California State University, Stanislaus’ (Stan State) very own music department presented their Choral Concert on May 5 in the Bernell and Flora Snider Recital Hall.
The concert audience was filled with students, patrons, faculty, staff, family and friends.
The first group, Concert Chorale, performed four pieces, including songs that were about rain.
The conductor, Dr. Daniel Afonso, mentioned that both “Famine Song” by VIDA, arranged by Matthew Culloton, and “Cloudburst” by Eric Whitacre are songs about rain.
“[Rain is] something our state has been struggling with. It’s better now, but we still need more,” Afonso said.
“Famine Song” dictated hardship and sentiment as heard through the voices of the ensemble.
“Cloudburst” entailed a small number of percussion instruments, such as a thunder sheet, bass and handbells. Percussionist Carlos Miramontes had a warm quality of playing and blending in the sound of the bass drum with the singers. 
Although there were multiple starts where the ensemble did not fully start together, the Concert Chorale performed well in singing the songs to their fullest.
“It’s pretty good. I’m impressed by the very uniform look and sound. The songs they chose are very appropriate” said Morgan Lesan (sophomore, Music instrumental education).
After intermission, the Chamber Singers settled in on stage.
Their first three songs were Renaissance songs: “Lasciatemi morire” (from Lamento d’Arianna) by Claudio Monteverdi, ”Adieu, Sweet Amaryllis” by John Wilbye and “Dessus le Marche d’Arras” by Orlando di Lasso.  
According to Afonso, all songs were themed in entailing a mix of love, loss and “creepy” love.
“In Stiller Nacht” by Johannes Brahms was impressively performed as the ensemble’s German was clearly articulated throughout their performance.
Two Billy Joel songs,  ”And So It Goes”, arranged by Bob Chilcott, and “Uptown Girl”, arranged by Daniel Afonso Jr., were performed as a closer by the Chamber Singers.
“Uptown Girl” was noticeably the crowd favorite. An impressive set from the tenors in singing the song was as close as Billy Joel’s 1983 release.
If the tenors rolled up their sleeves and sung with a wrench, we’d be talking about a grade A performance. Aside from their costume, the entire ensemble fully performed the song’s wonderful, interlaced lines as arranged by Afonso.
These works were spread by touching eras from the early Renaissance to the early 1980s. This gave the audience in the concert both ambience and an opportunity to explore the works for the voices.
“I think that Dr. Afonso has put together a really interesting, diverse set of music that’s really fun to perform,” said soprano member Taylor Carnes (junior, Vocal Performance).
“It’s really fun to realize that there are some emotions that have always been there, because there are some similar subject matter and realizing that it spreads across time. It’s a lot fun to do that” Carnes said.
Though the energy might have started low in some prominent moments of the songs, both ensembles managed to pick their energy up by the end of their repertoire.
These repertoire sets had a wide range of music that implemented many heartfelt songs. A well done and perfect mixtape to take home. 
Carnes indicates that being in ensemble also comes with a package of fun and bonding.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s performing with people you’re around everyday. You create bonds with them and with your professors. Being in a tight department like this does that,” Carnes said. “I have them in all my classes and we get to perform together. It’s really cool.”
For more information about music department events, visit: https://www.csustan.edu/music/music-events