Brahms' Requiem: A night out at the Symphony

Tomorrow night at 8:00 PM a triumphant rendition of Brahms' German Requiem will sound throughout Chrysler Theatre, located in the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. The University of Windsor Singers and Women's Chamber Choir will join the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in this delightful, classical performance that blends nostalgia with a hope for wholeness:

"Brahms’ bold and poignant German Requiem lovingly embraces remembrance while echoing a profound desire for completion."

Maestro John Morris Russell will lead chorus, orchestra, and audience alike through Johannes Brahms' seven movements. The voices of competition winning soloists Miriam Khalil (soprano), and Tyler Duncan (baritone) will soar throughout the theatre.

A pre-concert talk titled Instrumentally Speaking will prelude the Brahms' at 7:00 PM, followed by a rendition of The Unanswered Question, a short orchestral work by Charles Edward Ives.

There are a few tickets still available starting at only $13, so I encourage you to bring your friends and family, and enjoy a night out at the Symphony!

As a recent member of the University Singers, this will be my first time singing in front of such a large crowd. At the end of November we did perform in A Festival of Christmas at Assumption Church, but Chrysler Theatre is a much larger venue, seating 1,200 -- I'm nervous, yet excited!

Being a part of the University Singers has been a fabulous experience thus far. Our group gathers for "class" every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 - 12:50 PM, and is directed by Jeffrey Walker. Although students receive a half credit for each semester, Singers is not your typical academic class. Rather, it is a hands-on, practical opportunity through which I continue to improve my site-reading, vocal, and listening skills. I recommend it not to those looking for an Arts credit, but for those who yearn for dedication and accomplishment.

We rehearsed the Brahms' for the first time with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday night, and again Thursday. Chrysler Theatre presents a whole new realm of sound -- much more crisp and resonant than room 126! Our final three and a half hour dress rehearsal is tonight, and we will be doing a run through of the lengthy piece in its entirety.

Preparing to perform Brahms' German Requiem has been quite an experience, and, at the sound of the last trumpets, one well worth it to be part of something so grand.