Choral concerts April 23 and 24 to display multicultural influences

The SUNY Oswego music department will present two choral concerts -- the Spring Choral Concert on Sunday and the Oswego Festival Chorus Concert on Monday -- that college Vocal Activities Director Mihoko Tsutsumi said will allow audiences to "experience different cultures through music."

Spring Choral Concert

Featuring the Oswego Youth Choir, SUNY Oswego Men's and Women's College Choirs and State Singers, the Spring Choral Concert will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 103 W. Seventh St. in Oswego. Singers will perform a repertoire of traditional songs from many different countries, including Indonesia, Italy, Taiwan, New Zealand, Philippines and South Africa. One example is the Italian song "Time to Say Goodbye" by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto, Tsutsumi said.

Oswego Festival Chorus Spring Concert

The Oswego Festival Chorus Spring Concert will present "Jubilate Deo" by Dan Forrest at 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. Mary of the Assumption. The choir features students and community members.

Tsutsumi said "Jubilate Deo" was chosen due to the recent invitation the choir received to participate in Limerick Sings International Choral Festival in Ireland from June 22 to 25. The piece serves to further identify multiple cultures through music.

"Dan Forrest's 'Jubilate Deo' brings to life the global aspect of the traditional Psalm 100 text, 'O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands,' by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences," according to the 39-year-old Elmira native's website.

Donations are appreciated for each concert. All proceeds will benefit the music department's choral groups. Those attending needing assistance or more information should contact the music department secretary sally.vanburen@oswego.edu or 315-312-2130.