The Chamber Choir opens the concert with 鈥淥 Love,鈥� expressing 19th century Scottish poet Rev. George Matheson鈥檚 sense that love can lift the soul above sadness, just as one traces the rainbow through the rain. The Chamber Choir sings a new melodic setting by composer Elaine Hagenberg, which reinforces the soaring quality of the timeless hymn.

Composer Rollo Dillworth based 鈥淲hen Dreams Take Flight鈥� on renowned 19th century African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar鈥檚 鈥淒reams,鈥� which reminds us that as with flights of fancy, withering sadness also will pass away. The Chamber Choir鈥檚 performance features soprano Talia Schneider, a junior musical theatre major from Altamont, Ill., and tenor Corbin Doucette, a sophomore music major from Cabool, Mo.

The longing to escape from troubles that tinge many spirituals appears powerfully in 鈥淟et Me Fly,鈥� which opens the Concert Choir鈥檚 portion of the concert.聽 This arrangement by Robert DeCormier features baritone Kar鈥橫el Brewer, a senior music education major from St. Louis.

Kim Andr茅 Arnesen鈥檚 鈥淔light Song鈥� calls for collaboration as it is set to Welsh poet Euan Tait鈥檚 lyrical call to sing one鈥檚 own heart鈥檚 melody, together even in isolation. The conductor鈥檚 arms shape like wings to gather in each singer鈥檚 longing to fly towards others鈥� suffering and offer new life. 鈥淭he Boy Who Picked Up His Feet to Fly鈥� concludes the Concert Choir鈥檚 portion of the program and captures the sense of the times with optimistic whimsey. Composer Joshua Shank suggests that wishing to fly away can bring exhilarating joy but adds that in a time of danger, be careful what you wish for.

Songs of Flight is available on SoundCloud at:聽.

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