The Pine Grove Choir Concert and a first-year’s experience with the Department of Music

The Pine Grove was alive with the sound of music! On Friday, Sep. 27, the Hope College choirs performed a wide selection of pieces for the Hope community. The concert featured the Chapel Choir, SPERA, VERITAS and College Chorus. The Chapel Choir, consisting of 30 singers, is an auditioned SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) ensemble. SPERA is a treble ensemble made up of 39 singers. VERITAS, the newest ensemble, has 13 singers, consisting of both tenors and basses. Finally, College Chorus is an un-auditioned ensemble and is composed of 31 singers including Hope students, faculty, staff and community members. The concert featured music that focused on themes of friendship and love. The program consisted of a variety of genres from traditional Xhosa folk songs to gospel anthems. It even had musical theatre selections from Stephen Sondheim and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Five student solos were sprinkled throughout the concert, some featuring songs from well-known musicals. 

Eric Reyes, one of the two conductors for the Pine Grove Concert, is the assistant professor of music instruction and director of choral activities at Hope. He directs the Chapel Choir, College Chorus and VERITAS. Reyes, a Mexican-American, recently pioneered ¡Cato! A Latiné Vocal Intensive. This program equips high school Latiné singers with resources to study and perform Latiné music. He seeks to make music that inspires hope and brings unity to people. Pamela Pierson, the second conductor, is an active adjudicator and clinician who directs SPERA. She is currently the director of adjudication for the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. The rotating pianists for the concert were Allison Shinnick Keep, Christina Guica Krause, and Minggu Yao. 

Jose Quinones is a Hope first-year who is a member of the Chapel Choir, VERITAS and College Chorus. When asked about his first experience with the music program Quinones said, “All three of the choirs that I’m in are really inviting. I feel like people aren’t there to judge but they are there to make music with you, so it’s not an environment that is scary to join. It is really fun, I like it.” Quinones said he felt very comfortable with all of the groups. When asked about his transition into the choir and the type of community it creates he said, “I remember on the first day immediately everyone was really friendly and inviting. People there really want to get to know you.” He explained how he feels like he’s a part of a family, and he’s made good friends already. 

Choir is not a new pasttime of Quinones’ so he had a good idea of what to expect going into this year. However, he said the techniques used when learning music are new to him, and he finds it fun and fresh. The concert in the Pine Grove was something he was excited about, and when asked about his thoughts on the songs performed that night he said, “A lot of the songs are about loving one another, putting our faith in God, and how God loves us. It’s funny because a lot of the songs are sacred and we also sing one from ‘Les Miserables.’ But it’s a healthy mix. It’s mostly about love.” Overall, Quinones would describe his experiences within the three choirs as welcoming and exciting. He asks that people come and support the Department of Music in their upcoming events, such as the Homecoming Concert happening on Oct. 25. The Music Department events calendar can be found on their website. You can also follow the department on social media under @hopecollegemusic. 

(Featured image source: Nico Kazlauskas)