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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Friday, August 15, 2025

Weekender | Concert Preview

On Wednesday evenings, the smooth sounds of the Chamber Singers echo through the Alumnae Lounge as the group finishes their rehearsal. Soon the larger Chorale files into the Lounge for their practice. Each week these two performance ensembles fill the Lounge with beautiful melodies, transporting listeners to another, more peaceful time and place.

Chorale and Chamber Singers present their annual fall concert this Saturday. The performance, "Walden Pond Unplugged," will feature works of classic American poets with unique musical arrangements.

The program will feature American poetry and literature from authors including Walt Whitman, e.e. cummings, and Henry David Thoreau, set to music by prize-winning composers.

The groups, backed by the Chamber Orchestra and classical guitar played by David Patterson, will be performing Dominick Argento's "Walden Pond," Tufts Alum Trevor Weston's "Spring Clouds," Jeffrey Van's "A Processional Winding Around Me" and Julian Wachner's "Sometimes I Feel Alive."

Recognized by many tuxedoes and great voices, both groups, which are half-credit classes, are a vital part of Tufts' music program. Their repertoire varies by size: The Chorale, with 85 singers, specializes in music for large choir and orchestra, such as Handel's "Messiah" or Dvor??¦#039;s "Mass in D." Typically they perform about 12 times a year in the greater Boston area.

The Chamber Singers are a much smaller group. This year the ensemble consists of 18 members that perform a mostly a capella repertoire and pieces written for more intimate choirs and accompaniment. The two groups collaborate on some larger pieces.

Tufts' classical singers aren't restricted to the Hill. The Chorale has toured the East Coast, and this past March they embarked on their first international tour, spending nine days singing and traveling in southern Italy with the Chamber Singers. The Chamber Singers have toured Europe four times, including three trips to Italy and one to Spain.

In his third year as the director of choruses, Andrew Clark leads both groups. He is also the assistant conductor and chorus master for Opera Boston and the music director of the Junior Providence Singers.

This Saturday's performance is one not to be missed. It will explore themes in American history in conjunction with the "Forever Free" exhibit currently at Tisch.

"Some of the pieces are from the Civil War era, like one of the pieces that the Chamber Singers is doing, 'Walden Pond,'" said freshman Greg Kastelman, a member of the chamber singers. The piece, based on Thoreau's 1854 book "Walden," expresses some of pre-war Northern concerns.

Although the groups often perform with piano or classical orchestra, Saturday's accompaniment will be styled to fit the mood of the evening.

"It's going to include all different types of musical instruments," Kastleman said. In Jeffery Van's "A Processional Winding Around Me," a lone classical guitar will emphasize a solemn, post-battle atmosphere beneath the powerful voices of the choirs.

The concert will also feature "Spring Clouds" by Trevor Weston, a College of Charleston professor and Tufts Alumnus. This will be the premiere performance of his piece in New England. Argento's "Walden Pond" will be sung for the first time in New England as well.