The UTRGV University Choir is set to debut its concert this Tuesday, under the direction of Assistant Professor David Means.
With a big choir to work with, Means is ecstatic for the premiere and to see what events unfold while performing.
“I’m looking forward to just seeing what happens because in the excitement of a concert, things happen, often for the better,” he said.
Means carefully chose the music and described the process as something that is done in high preparation.
“I’m thinking of stuff for three years from now,” he said. “By midsummer, I have 200 songs I want to do, then I have to reduce that 200 to 20.”
The jam-packed choir, which consists of 12 sopranos, 11 altos, nine tenors and 17 bass singers, rehearsed four times a week with their scheduled class.
However, Means and students did face many obstacles, and overcame them through mutual teamwork.
“It’s a challenge sometimes, because I’m having to deal with a bunch of different voices and personalities and we don’t always come to rehearsal with the same kind of attitude, and the same kind of preparation,” he said. “But all in all, we work really hard together, and find success together.”
Voice sophomore Alejandro Vasquez detailed the main difficulty the choir faced, saying that it was hard to get everyone together at the same time because of some students having to be absent for different reasons.
“The fact of everyone being here,” Vasquez said, was a big hurdle to cross.
Despite the cat and mouse of practice mishaps, the choir found inspiration through each other.
“I really enjoy getting to sing with them,” he said.
Music education freshman and soloist Carolina Gonzales, will perform her solo, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” by Dolly Parton, after intermission.
Gonzales prepared by listening to Parton’s song a multitude of times, matching her notes and identifying with the song.
She is most looking forward to the overall sound the choir produces for the concert and to see the audience’s reaction.
“I want the audience to be proud of the work we’ve done,” Gonzales said.
Music education freshman Jordan Mendoza described his goal for the performance as an opportunity to inspire the audiences with their art.
Mendoza advises to look forward to the second half, believing it to be the more challenging portion.
“To me, it’s more fun!” he said.
If you would like to be taken on a musical journey with this choir, be at the Performing Arts Complex auditorium in Edinburg at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $5, but discounted for students and staff with ID.
