University of Colorado at Boulder’s choral department consists of some of the most talented singers and conductors dedicated to performing beautifully composed music - and that’s just what they did Tuesday, April 28th. Macky Auditorium was filled with radiant voices that evening, including one special singer, 21 year old Hikari Kumagai. As an exchange student from Tokyo, Japan, Kumagai traveled the 5,557 miles from her college in Akita all the way to Boulder, Colorado for CU’s outstanding College of Music. Kumagai, an accomplished 1st alto majoring in women’s studies, “first got into children’s choir when I was in second grade...I’ve been singing since that time.” Kumagai’s childrens choir was known for their appearances on educational TV shows in Japan. Kumagai went on to accomplish possibly one of her greatest achievements thus far, “singing in an opera in fifth grade.” As a fellow CU Boulder student, I asked Kumagai what drew her to Colorado’s mountainous region, and more importantly, the University Choir. She replied, “I actually chose to come to CU because it has a music department… my home university is pretty small, and very new, so it didn’t have any choirs. I wanted to be able to sing with a high level and big choir.”  Although CU may not have the top music school in the country, I knew our campus had something unique other universities and choirs didn’t have. I asked Kumagai what she thought made our University and our choirs better than others, and she couldn’t have said it better - “I think the environment is pretty good. Its different if I’m singing in very urban areas… But here we are surrounded by nature, and we have the beautiful mountains.” We are so fortunate to constantly be inspired by the scenery here, as well as by the beautiful people in Boulder. Unfortunately, according to Kumagai, CU’s choir, “Needs more diversity.  The music department has very few people of color.” This is a well-known matter at CU Boulder, who has an overwhelmingly caucasian student body population. Nonetheless, Kumagai mentioned she would like to continue to sing in choirs even after she leaves Colorado.

Jason St. Claire, Assistant Conductor and doctoral student of Choral Conducting, has a different perspective on what improvements need to be made in the College of Music - or lack thereof. “Honestly, I am so thrilled at all of the extraordinary opportunities offered by the College of Music. I am challenged as a student and human being. Not only have I grown academically, but personally… For me, there really is nothing else I could want at this time in my career at CU.” St. Claire, Phoenix-raised and Arizona State graduate, got his Bachelor’s of Music Education in 2007 and has a passion for choir. He first got involved in choir in elementary school, and said, “I didn’t actually sign up for choir in middle school, but the choir teacher heard my voice one day and started pulling me out of classes to sing in the choir. I was hooked on choir from then on!” Jason St. Claire was originally inspired to move to Colorado by his mentor and friend Dr. Gregory Gentry, CU’s Director of Choral Studies and Associate Professor of Choral Studies. Although I was unable to get an interview with Dr. Gentry myself, I feel privileged I got the chance to interview his respected colleague. The University of Colorado at Boulder’s choral department is made up of five main choirs, as well as jazz, barbershop, and madrigal ensembles. St. Claire feels heartfelt that CU’s choral department is special in that, “There are opportunities for students to be involved in choral music at CU, even if they are not a music major. In fact, the vast majority of students in the Collegiate Chorale, Women’s Chorus and Men’s Chorus are non-music majors. We also added a community choir this semester for alumni and other non CU folk to sing in if they are looking for a community ensemble. This really does make CU a unique place for choral music.” There is no doubt that the choral department doesn’t live up to its distinguished reputation. Despite the fact the department has student representatives recruiting in the UMC each semester, many students are still unaware of our fantastic choral program. When I asked St. Claire if there was a certain type of person the department is looking to recruit, his answer perfectly expressed the sole reason why we participate in all things music - not just choir. “The beauty of choral music is it’s about people and community. We are looking for people who want to be a part of something special that is bigger than any one of us. Anyone who wants to share in the human experience is welcome!”  

CU Boulder’s extraordinary choirs are looking for singers of all ages, and all members of the community, not just students! For thousands of years, choral music has been a highly respected art form and creative outlet, and remains so today. With the amazing faculty and alumni supporting our College of Music, our choral department will continue to thrive for many years to come!

 

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