Valparaiso University Chorale to Perform in Grand Rapids | Arts & Culture

News Release:

The Valparaiso University Chorale, one of the nation’s leading Lutheran collegiate choirs, will travel to six cities in four Midwestern states during its spring tour in preparation for an international tour at the conclusion of the semester.

The Chorale will be in concert at 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 5th at Central Reformed Church, 10 College Ave. Northeast, in Grand Rapids, Mich. They will perform selections by Dello Joio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lauridsen, and a selection from the Dona nobis pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Faculty artist Nicole Lee will be featured on the piano.

In May, the Chorale will travel to Germany for the fourth time in 10 years, participating in the 800th anniversary of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig with its choir, the Thomanerchor.

The Chorale is Valparaiso’s premier choral ensemble and upholds the highest standards of choral art through performance of the greatest choral literature of all eras. The 48-voice ensemble is directed by Dr. Christopher M. Cock, Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg chair of Lutheran music, and sustains its mission of excellence through campus performances, recording and annual tours throughout the United States and overseas. The group is noted for performing works representing the University’s Lutheran heritage as well as contemporary works expressing multicultural perspectives.

Dr. Cock is a noted choral music educator and a distinguished solo artist.  He has forged a unique career path combining the roles of conductor and performer. He has also directed the Bach Institute at Valpo (http://www.valpo.edu/bach) since its founding in 2004 and is a critically acclaimed solo artist who has sung major roles in Bach performances domestically and internationally.

            The eighth CD the Chorale has recorded under Dr. Cock’s direction, “Star Still Guiding,” was released in 2011 by Valpo ArtsMedia (http://www.valpoarts.com) and showcases songs of the Christmas season from around the globe. The Chorale is also one of three ensembles featured on a Valpo Christmas Concert DVD that was released in conjunction with the celebration of the University’s 150th anniversary.