The journey begins. Seek brightness in the darkness that abounds. Hope prevails. Featuring a string orchestra of professional musicians, UCSB Choirs and their conductors present an evening of music to lift us from darkness into light.

The UCSB Chamber Choir, under the direction of Sorensen Director of Choral Music, Dr. Nicole C. Lamartine, explores the idea of darkness and light through a variety of perspectives. Giovanni Battista Martini’s motet “Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina” is a plea for help from the “frantic and futile anxieties that invade our minds, filing our hearts with madness” exemplified in Haydn’s “Insanae et vanae curae.” “Wild Forces” by Jake Runestad sets a hopeful etxt of St. Francis of Assisi and features collaborative pianist Mi-Young Kim. Two settings of poems by e.e. cummings delve into the intimate realm of hope. “somehwere i have never travelled” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon features vibraphone and piano in beautiful partnership with the voices to depict the tender beauty and light of deep love. Dan Forrest’s “i thank you God, for most this amazing day” highlights cummings’ use of wordplay to illuminate joyful moments in nature that evoke contentment of life. Chamber Choir will end with three pieces by Black female composers highlighting idiomatic and non-idiomatic music. Ruthie Foster’s “Mama Said” is a tribute to a mother’s advice to a child that evokes a decades-old gospel style. “Non nobis Domine” by Rosephayne Powell turns the mirror to ourselves and asks for reflection of all that we see and ask for. And in a reminder of our steadfast strength as humans, Melanie DeMore asks us to “sing to the sky and rise from the earth” in hopes for a brighter future.

The newly formed non-auditioned tenor-bass Singing Gauchos, led by choral conducting graduate MM student Steven Thomson and the non-auditioned Lumina soprano-alto choir led by DMA student David Torres, along with MM candidate Valdis Jansons will combine forces to present Franz Schubert’s joyous gem “Mass in G.” The process of discovering light is unique. For some, finding light is clear and easy but for others, the gift of discernment is not instinctive. Lumina’s performance of Ola Gjello’s piece Northern Lights touches on the subject of perspective. Sometimes something viewed as dark or unknown at first, can actually turn out to be light and illuminating. This is the “terrible” beauty, as Ola puts it, which is a part of the process of discovering that light within us and the world.

Proof of Vaccination

Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test are required for patrons over 12 years of age, as well as a valid photo ID. See our COVID-19 Event Information page for more details.

Tickets

We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance for this event. Tickets can be purchased via the new free AXS Tickets app, online on our Purchase Tickets page, or by calling the Associated Students Ticket Office at (805) 893-2064. For more information on how to purchase tickets via the new AXS Tickets app, please visit our Ticket Office Information page.