The Yuba College Music Department presented Choral Music from Around the World on Friday, November 18 at 7:30pm. Dr. Aya Ueda directed both the Chamber Choir and the Community Chorus. Milena Hmeleva accompanied on piano and William Rossel was a guest percussionist.
Starting the night out was a beautiful Traditional South African Freedom Song called Tshotsholoza. It is refered as the “unofficial” anthem of South Africa and was in the soundtrack of the movie Invictus. The men alone sang Zikr, an Islamic chant composed by A.R. Rahman. The women were next to sing a traditional Iraqi Peace song by the same name. Traveling on to the next destination of Russia with two wonderful songs, Rozhinkes mit Mandlen and Kalinka, as a treat. The last destination before the intermission is the United States with a song composed by Dan Davison called Vamos A Bailar. After the intermission we continued with a Finnish Folk song and a Swedish Folk Ballad. On to Norway with a song titled Northern Lights Composed by Ola Gjeilo. From Norway to Japan we traveled with a Traditional Japanese Children’s Play Songs Arranged by Dr. Aya Ueda called Asobi Uta. Some people know the next piece that was written for the movie Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho! Back to the United States we go. A spiritual song, Been in de Storm/Wayfaring Stranger, was awesome to hear. Next was the song Bridge Over Troubled Water that was sung in honor of Prof.Neelam Canto-Lugo for inspiring many people the importance of friendship. Lastly we listen to a song titled Homeland. Members of the Symphonic Band (directed by Jennifer Aldridge) accompanied the Choirs in the finally. This song was all about building bridges of respect for the differences and similarities of who we are as humans and where we call earth our ultimate homeland.
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