Today's audio comes from the Minnesota Choral Arts Finale concert at Orchestra Hall on April 6, 2014. The Cardinal Choir from Willmar High School is directed by Neal Haugen.
7:15 a.m. — Traditional Kenyan arr. Shawn L. Kirchner: Wana Baraka
7:15 p.m. — Pepper Choplin: You Will Reap What You Sow
The Cardinal Choir, comprised of 92 juniors and seniors, is one of six curricular and co-curricular choirs at Willmar High School — a school located about two and a half hours straight west of the Twin Cities. The choir meets on a daily basis to rehearse diverse choral literature from around the world, representing every musical genre and era. Much of their music is performed a cappella, however some pieces are accompanied by outstanding student pianists.
This year, the choir is focusing particularly on jazz, and will travel with the band and orchestra to New Orleans, Memphis, and Cozumel, Mexico in their exploration of how this genre has impacted the music world. They add these destinations to an extensive list from past contests and festivals, including New York, Pearl Harbor, and the Bahamas.
They will also be dabbling in Gregorian Chant with the arrangements of Run to You and Carol of the Bells by the popular a cappella sensation, Pentatonix. The highlight of the year, however, will be performing the Battle Hymn of the Republic with the band and orchestra at the graduation ceremony — a 20-year tradition that the community looks forward to every year.
Music is the "Hallmark of Pride" at Willmar High School. Strongly encouraged by the music staff, many students in the music program, participate in more than one ensemble (about two-thirds of the students in the Cardinal Choir are also in band and/or orchestra). The top five students in the school are involved in music, providing good evidence for the argument that music participation contributes to academic success. Indeed last spring, 17 out of the top 20 students at the school were in the music program. Director of the Cardinal Choir, Neal Haugen, explains it like this:
"We [the music department] provide and encourage our students to excel in all they can do and become. Music has the power to create individuals that excel, collaborate, cooperate, and become young adults that are able to think, dream, inspire, and feel. This gives us the reason to sing, play, and experience the arts. No other academic area in our schools can provide the 'total' experience for our students."
Future Performances
The Willmar High School music department will present West Side Story on November 13-16, a production which involves many members of the Cardinal Choir. More details can be found at the school's website.
The Cardinal Choir has been selected to perform at the 2015 Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic on February 12th.
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