Free concert: Regional choral music showcase at NIC

North Idaho College will host the choral music of local and regional composers from throughout the Northwest including Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Seattle, Portland and Tri-Cities at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

This concert will feature works by Idaho composers Gerard Mathes, from Coeur d’Alene; Paul Aitken, from Boise; and Michael Bell, from Coeur d’Alene. Bell’s “A Flower Blooms” will be premiered at the concert. Bell is currently a music student at NIC.

The Choral Union will perform Mathes’ “Lamb of Piece.” Mathes is a music instructor at NIC. Joining the stage for this piece will be NIC Piano Instructors, Marietta Hardy and Dwayne Huff as well as NIC Alumni Adrian DeVries.

Also featured will be the music of regional composers, Reginald Unterseher, from Kennewick, Wash.; Dan Davison, from Puyallup, Wash.; Paul Caldwell, from Seattle; Karen Thomas, from Seattle; Joan Szymko, from Portland, Ore.; and Morten Lauridsen, from Colfax, Wash.

NIC Director of Choirs Max Mendez brings 36 years of experience to the Choral Union. Celebrating more than 10 years at the college, he strives to instill a sense of artistry, quality, beauty, and community service in each performance. Mendez is active in area choral music and also serves as a clinician, performer, and guest conductor throughout the Northwest. He is currently the president-elect for the Idaho chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association.

The concert is free and open to everyone.