By Rebecca Taylor
The Siena College Chorus can now be heard singing around the world after part of their spring concert was featured on the respected musical website www.adventuresinmusic.biz.
"This is significant exposure," explained Tim Reno, Ph.D., assistant professor of music. "To my knowledge it's the first time a recording of our group has been available to a worldwide audience."
Reno explained that the chorus commissioned composer David Arbury to write a score for the text of the Catholic mass. "We wanted it to be something that could be used during mass in its liturgical context or put into a concert performance," he said. "I think of it as functional art music."
The chorus performed "Mass of the New Jerusalem" for the first time during its spring concert in collaboration with Musicians of Ma'alwyck, a professional instrumental ensemble. The concert recording is now featured on the Adventures in Music website that features new music from living composers.
"So many times a piece like this is commissioned and then it's never heard of again," Reno explained. "To know that this piece is beginning a life in this capacity is exciting for everybody involved, especially our students."
Student performers included Sopranos Gracie Lynn Besse '15, Erin Faeth '15, Cara Hannigan '12, KatherineLynn Kresser '15, Diana Perretti '13, Victoria Rybnick '14, Emily Scimeca '14, Julia Swick '14; Altos Danielle Christiano '15, Elise Fernandez '14, Valerie King '15, Dena Leonelli '15, Megan Lesperance '14, Juli Muehter '15, Kathleen Rotondo '15, Maria Rueda '15, Nishoba Snow '15, Kathryn Tietz '15, Pamela, Townsend '14, Meghan Yi '12; Tenors Nick Esposito '15, Kevin Melsert '13, Shayne Peris '15; Basses Declan Chaskey '12, Mitchel Clow '13, Tyler Fane '12, Steve Maggio '12, Cliff Ryan '14, Andrew Vroman '15.
Reno plans to continue his collaboration with professional instrumentalists in the area to perform master works for choir and orchestra.
