One of the pieces performed under the direction of CSU-Pueblo choir director, Dana Ihm, was by a living composer of the century, who was in attendance at the concert.
Kenneth Lampl, 48, the Music Merchandizing Program Director for Hofstra University, celebrated his birthday listening to the CSU-Pueblo Chamber choir perform his composition, “Adon Olam”, which is written in Hebrew talking about the wonders of God.
Lampl was the guest composer invited by Ihm to come listen to the CSU-Pueblo Chamber Choir perform his composition live while he was in Colorado speaking at other universities.
According to the program from the choir, Lampl’s biography states that he received a doctorate of musical arts, composition from Juilliard School in 1996, after receiving his masters of arts composition and theory degree at Rutgers University in 1992, and Bachelors of Arts in Composition in 1982 from Rutgers.
Lampl is known for writing award winning soundtracks and choral works and has composed over 25 feature film scores.
His first international recognition came when he won the Prix Ravel in composition at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France.
As a composer of film music, Lampl had the opportunity to study with John Williams at the Tangle Wood Music Festival.
While he was in Pueblo, he spoke at a workshop for all music students during the music departments weekly symposium, which is where music students get a chance to perform in front of their peers to show what they have been practicing and accomplished.
It’s not every day that students get to perform in front of a composer they are learning and performing about. Getting to perform in front of someone with Lampl’s credentials is not only educational but also an honor.
Amanda Kuhns, junior music major, said, “It is always an experience performing a piece with the composer there to hear it for himself.”
“He said for future editions he was going to put that it had to be sung in mixed choral arrangement like we did,” Hedberg added.
The Chamber Choir also performed also performed pieces other than Lampl’s. The Chamber Choir performed, “Audite Nova!”,”If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments”, “Sicut loctus est.”, from Magnificat BWV 243, and “The Conversion of Saul”.
The CSU-Pueblo Jazz Choir performed, “Happy Together”, “Come Together”, “Crazy”, “And the Angels Sing”, and “The Trees On The Mountains” from Susanna.
The CSU-Pueblo Concert Choir performed, “Halleluyaw”, “Motherless Child”, “Sanctus” from Mass, “The Stars Stand Up In The Air”, “Neighbor’s Chorus” from La Jolie Parfumeuse, and “John the Revelator”.
Kuhns said, “The performance was a resounding success and the crowd is always very receptive.”
Some Kuhns most preferred songs performed were the Jazz Choir’s version of the Beatles’ song “Come Together” and “Adon Olam” sang by the Chamber Choir.
“Some of the favorite piece performed were, ‘The Stars Stand Up In The Air’ sung by the Concert Choir, and “Adon Olam” with the Chamber Choir” said Hedberg, who is a Soprano in Concert and Chamber Choir.
After hearing the performance, Kuhns said she had never sang on a university level before, but after hearing the fall concert, she will be joining choir this spring as the choirs prepare for their trip to Germany in Spring 2014.
