In my own way, I was very involved with sports in high school … I was part of a team that sometimes competed against other teams, and that team was the main source of any “school spirit” I had. I would often wear my uniform—which looked very good, thank you very much—all day on the day of one of our events. And my family was what drummed up my exposure to that world.
Of course, if I was ever sweaty, it was because of floodlights and warm tuxedos. I was a choir nerd through and through, from watching my sister be one herself and from that love of music my mother imparted into me. And, as with sports for some people, the energy outpouring and sense of community that choir provided really helped me come out of my shell and kept me excited to keep going to school.
Now that the World Cup is over, perhaps you’d like to check out this wonderful society for yourself—there’s never not a time for sports. On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Resonance Vocal Ensemble, a relatively new group to the Central Coast comprised of faces that have graced plenty of concerts with other groups, will be performing at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa at 8 p.m. The concert is free (though donations are welcomed), and includes several wonderful genres of a capella music, both ancient and modern, classical and spiritual.
The group, which follows a Midwestern tradition a la The Concordia Choir in Moorhead, Minn. is sure to delight and thrill. Emotions of many kinds permeate the musical sets for this performance. Highlights include rousing and calming spirituals, haunting classical masterpieces, and so forth. Of particular note is the beautiful “Sainte-Chapelle,” a piece by world-renowned composer Eric Whitacre which was published for general release so recently that the ensemble may be one of the first groups to perform it. The gorgeous “Miserere” by Allegri, Hall Johnson’s triumphant “Ain’t Got Time to Die,” musical settings of famous poems “The Lamb and The Tyger” by William Blake, and even a piece arranged by Resonance’s director, Paul Osborne, are just some of the works you will be able to enjoy during this concert. After all, the Central Coast has a very rich musical scene, and even summer isn’t safe from it. There’s no escape, so you may as well submit now.
Intern Chris White-Sanborn isn’t getting rid of these earworms anytime soon. Send your collegiate news to cougarsandmustangs@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 7, 2014.