Gustavus Choir of Christ Chapel
The Choir of Christ Chapel of Gustavus Adolphus College returns from on its annual tour in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin to present its Home Tour Concert on Friday, April 24. The choir’s performance, under the direction of Patricia Kazarow, begins at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel. It is free and open to the public.
Conducted by Patricia A. Kazarow, the Choir of Christ Chapel is a large mixed ensemble that draws its repertoire primarily from the fine sacred literature of the mid-18th to 21st centuries. In addition to singing for Holy Communion and daily celebrations, the Choir participates in Christmas in Christ Chapel and other major choral events on campus.
As part of its mission, the Choir of Christ Chapel annually tours with a program of the sacred music that has shaped the worship celebrations, festivals, and other special events that have occurred during the academic year. Past tour destinations have included San Antonio, St. Louis, Seattle, Denver, Kansas City, and Chicago.
Kazarow, a frequent choral clinician and adjudicator, holds a B.A. degree in music from Loretto Heights College in Denver, and M.M. and D.M.A. degrees from the University of Michigan. Kazarow has conducted the Choir of Christ Chapel since she joined the faculty at Gustavus in 1984. She also teaches courses such as “History of Western Music” and “Music of World Cultures,” as well as a First Term Seminar, “The Power of Music” at the College.
The importance of music in the Gustavus undergraduate curriculum has long been recognized. Nearly half of its more than 2,500 students register for courses in theory, history, appreciation, pedagogy, and performance of music each year and many are members in some 30 performing ensembles.
The College’s Department of Music is housed in the Schaefer Fine Arts Center. The center’s music wing features the 475-seat Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall; a fully computerized music lab for students in music theory, composing/arranging, and class piano; class and rehearsal rooms; 30 private practice rooms; and the Lund Music Library, which contains more than 20,000 music recordings, 45,000 scores and anthologies, a music reference section, and listening equipment.
Friday’s Home Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel and is free and open to the public.