‘Cohesiveness, cooperation’

Chamber Choir prepares for spring concert, Ireland trip

Dylan Claywell and Clay Steenbergen described their experiences in Chamber Choir as “a sense of community and family,” “cooperation” and “cohesiveness.”

The work and rehearsals of the Chamber Choir will culminate in the Spring Choir Concert Sunday.

Steenbergen began his choir career in high school because he wanted to find different paths in his life.

The freshman political science major said he struggled to learn the Gaelic language for the Mayo International Choral Festival this summer. Steenbergen and other members of the choir will travel to Ireland for the festival in May.

“I personally like to focus more on what we do well,” Steenbergen said. “We’re a very strong group that is willing to work with each other and be friends with each other and listen and change things for the better.”

Steenbergen said besides the standard rehearsals during the week, he also takes his own time to memorize songs and practice the rhythm. He said there are constantly changes between each practice.

Claywell joined choir in middle school and has since been immersed in choir. He said he chose USI because of the music group.

He said reading rhythm and learning Irish Gaelic were problems for him, but was able to conquer them because of his work in the choir.

“I really enjoyed working with a bunch of talented people that really have a passion for making music,” Claywell said. “Last year and this year both, I have experienced an ease of making friends. It just comes naturally with this group.”

Chamber Choir Director Daniel Craig said the current group of students is one of the best he has taught. He said the group is mature and because of their cooperation and talent, are able to build their events quickly.

One problem that appears with each group is the blending of voices and making sure they flow well together. Once the voices are blended, then comes the process of teaching them the music.

“There’s not one person in this roster I am worried about,” Craig said. “They’ve done everything I’ve asked them to do.”

Craig usually has the choir perform at Rice Library during the season, but because finals are close, he said the library needs to be quiet. The second floor reading room in the library has the perfect acoustics and the Old North United Methodist Church is the second best place for them to perform.

“The theater is very lucky to have (the Performance Center). Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out for a good choral event,” Craig said. “You want a room that has more ring to it.”

The choir does not use the Performance Center because it was not designed with acoustics in mind. He said it was designed primarily for the spoken voice.

The Chamber Choir will perform music planned for the Mayo International Choral Festival and some Irish traditional pieces Craig wrote Sunday at the concert.