The Cal Poly Choirs will present a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, with two of the university’s advanced vocal ensembles: PolyPhonics and Cantabile.
The concert is titled “Winter Cantata” after the 1964 composition by Vincent Persichetti that is based on a collection of short Japanese haiku translated into English, and evokes the sounds, mood and feeling of cold winter landscapes. Cantabile will perform the work accompanied by Cal Poly faculty member John Astaire on marimba, and Suzanne Duffy on flute.
Cantabile will also sing “The Love of Thousands” by Reena Esmail, a Los Angeles-based composer known for uniquely blending Hindustani and Western music traditions.
PolyPhonics’ set will feature works it will perform on Northern California tour during Cal Poly’s spring break: selections from “Mass in G Minor” by Ralph Vaughan Williams as well as other Renaissance-inspired works such as John Tavener’s hauntingly beautiful “The Lamb,” and a selection from Ernest Bloch’s “Sacred Service.”
PolyPhonics will also perform more modern works such as Saunder Choi’s exciting “Jubilate Deo.” “This piece is a wild ride through constantly changing meters and key centers” said Cal Poly Director of Choral Activities Scott Glysson. The choir will also perform gospel- and spiritual-inspired works such as Moses Hogan’s “This Little Light of Mine” and Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory’s “John the Revelator."
Glysson will conduct the and Paul Woodring will accompany the choirs on piano.
