Both the BYU–Hawaii Chorale and University Brass Ensemble gathered together on Oct. 16 to perform an array of semester-long rehearsed songs in styles ranging from spiritual and folk song to jazz standard and movie soundtrack.
Under the direction of Dr. David Kammerer, BYU–Hawaii professor of music, the University Brass Ensemble began the performance with what Dr. Kammerer called one of the top five most common fanfares: “Fanfare for the Common Man,” composed by Aaron Copland.
Not including Dr. Kammerer, who would occasionally assist the trumpets on the melody line for a few lively high notes, the ensemble included 14 brass musicians on the trumpet, French horn, baritone horn, trombone, and tuba.
They played a set of four songs, mainly consisting of classical and hymnal, including the LDS hymn “Lead Kindly Light” arranged by Dr. Kammerer.
“One of my favorite things,” announced Dr. Kammerer to preface the song, “is to arrange hymns for brass, and this is one of my favorite hymns.”
Following the first set, the University Chorale streamed onto stage, the audience cheering and whooping loudly. Decked in pink and yellow floral muumuus for the women and white dress shirts with green Hawaiian leis for the men, the chorale members filled the stage.
They began with “Tshepa Thapelo,” a Sotho folk song from South Africa. Members of the chorale joined in singing after the rhythm section began it. As they sang, they swayed in rhythm with the song, including a few pre-planned hand movements as well as an overall lively attitude and conversational feel to the song–some occasionally turning to their neighbors as though singing the words directly to them.
“It was definitely a good way to spend my Friday night,” said psychology major Genesis Chavez, a freshman from Oregon. “I really enjoyed watching the orchestra and the choir because you can feel their enthusiasm. Music is truly a good way to express someone's feelings and, being part of the audience, I was able to feel their love for music.”
The brass ensemble's second set included two songs arranged by students--one, a medley of Star Wars and Star Trek songs arranged by Tin Kin Lam, and a brass arrangement of Imagine Dragons' famed song “Demons.” The arrangement featured a trombone solo performed by Kevin Peterson, who did the arrangement.
To top off their performance, the musicians played a Dixieland jazz version of “Amazing Grace” that featured Suzanne Kinghorn on the trumpet, who led the ensemble in tempo as well as dynamically.
“Our brass ensemble was very dedicated this semester,” said freshman music major from Idaho, Morgan Casper, who played French horn in the performance. “I have never been in a more hard-working ensemble before. I thought the concert went very well. My favorite song that we played was 'Amazing Grace' and Suzie Kinghorn did amazing on her solos. I'm so grateful I got the opportunity to be a part of this incredible ensemble.”
Not included in the program, but introduced by chorale director Elizabeth Kammerer, was a barbershop quartet of five University Chorale singers, the idea entirely their own. They performed “Lida Rose” from the Music Man, a well-known Broadway musical.
The Chorale's final set consisted of mainly romantically themed songs, including George and Ira Gershwin's “I've Got a Crush on You,” for which each singer partnered up and sang and danced, a bit comically, arm-in-arm with one another. Concluding the performance, the group sang a very upbeat contemporary African-American gospel song based off of Psalm 47.
“The performance was definitely the best part of the class,” said freshman Natalie Bangerter, an undeclared major from Idaho. “It was really exciting to get all dressed up and perform. We had worked really hard and practiced a lot, so it was nice to go out on stage and see it all come together.”