EOU Chamber Choir Presents “We Are One” Spring Concert Featuring Student Conductors
LA GRANDE, Ore. – Five Eastern Oregon University students will step onto the podium later this month as the EOU Chamber Choir presents its spring concert, “We Are One,” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 in McKenzie Theatre.
Admission is free, and donations will be accepted at the door.
The concert follows the choir’s February performance, “True Colors,” and highlights the work of student conductors Jillian Newman, Jakob Graffunder, McKenzie Jonas, Hannah Brown, and Laylah Lucas. Each student is enrolled in EOU’s Choral Methods course and has spent the past eight weeks rehearsing and preparing the ensemble for performance.
For many of the students, the experience has provided a first opportunity to lead an ensemble in a live rehearsal setting.
“The first time we stood in front of the choir was terrifying,” Lucas said. “But it’s been really fun seeing all of us get more comfortable and realize that we’re helping create the music, not just directing it.”
Many of the student conductors are preparing for careers in education, and the course gives them practical experience leading rehearsals, communicating musical ideas, and working with singers in real time.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to jump right in,” Jonas said. “It’s helped me become more comfortable leading students and developing teaching strategies.”
Graffunder said the experience has strengthened both his teaching skills and musicianship.
“This class gave me a foundation for teaching and managing an ensemble,” Graffunder said. “It’s helped me become a more well-rounded musician and better prepared for what comes next.”
Brown said the course also emphasized the importance of connection and collaboration within an ensemble.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself, new ways to teach, and how important it is to build connections with students,” Brown said.
Newman, who plans to become a music teacher, said conducting introduced a new kind of leadership experience.
“I’ve had to learn different teaching approaches and how to connect with the ensemble,” Newman said.
The concert repertoire explores themes of unity, connection, and shared human experience through music from a variety of traditions and cultures. Selections include “Sisi Ni Moja” by Jacob Narverud, “An Earth Song” by Marques Garrett, “Wade in the Water,” arranged by Kevin Phillip Johnson, and “Indlu yeGagu,” arranged by Sizwe Mondlane.
Professor of Music Peter Wordelman said the course allows students to develop conducting skills through direct experience with an ensemble.
“You can study technique, but conducting only improves when you’re working with real people,” Wordelman said. “Learning how to lead an ensemble happens in the moment.”
The concert program includes:
Full Choir
- “Sisi Ni Moja” by Jacob Narverud — conducted by Jillian Newman
- “Hela Rotan” (Indonesian Folksong), arranged by Ken Stevens — conducted by Jakob Graffunder
- “An Earth Song” by Marques Garrett — conducted by McKenzie Jonas
Soprano/Alto Choir
- “Swifter Than Flame” by Elaine Hagenberg — conducted by Hannah Brown
- “Wade in the Water,” arranged by Kevin Phillip Johnson — conducted by Jakob Graffunder
Tenor/Bass Choir
- “Connected” by Brian Tate — conducted by Laylah Lucas
- “The River” by Susan La Barr — conducted by Jillian Newman
Full Choir
- “Kama Muta” by Aaron Gage — conducted by Hannah Brown
- “Indlu yeGagu” (South Africa), arranged by Sizwe Mondlane — conducted by McKenzie Jonas
- “Lovely Chance” by Jacob Narverud — conducted by Laylah Lucas
For more information about EOU’s music program and upcoming performances, visit eou.edu.
