Free Choral Kaleidoscope concert at NIC

North Idaho College will host the Choral Kaleidoscope concert featuring performances by the NIC Cardinal Chorale and the NIC Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March. 7 at Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus in Coeur d’Alene. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Cardinal Chorale, conducted by NIC Director of Choirs Max Mendez, will perform the music of Gabriel Fauré, Ola Gjelo, Mark Hayes, Elaine Hagenberg and Alexandru Pascanu.

“The beauty of this program is meant to uplift both performer and audience,” Mendez said.

Fauré composed “Cantique de Jean Racine” at the age of 20 and the piece highlights/showcases his colorful harmonic palette. The program also features an arrangement of the American hymn “Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal” arranged by Hayes in a performance with a two-piano duet, or a “four-hands accompaniment.” The chorale’s pianist will be joined by pianist and NIC student Sophia Crimmins.

The NIC Cardinal Chamber Orchestra, conducted by NIC Director of Bands Bryan Hannaford, will perform “The Skaters’ Waltz” by Emil Waldteuful, “Tango España” by Isaac Albeniz and “Jurassic Park” by John Williams.

“I’m excited for the Chamber Orchestra to perform this concert with the Cardinal Chorale,” Hannaford said. “We will be taking you on a musical journey from dreaming of ice skating, walking the streets of Spain and leave you visualizing ‘Jurassic Park’ with the music of John Williams.”

The NIC Cardinal Chorale and Chamber Orchestra will join forces at the end of the program to perform Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo’s “The Rose,” which offers lush strings to evoke the beautiful setting of Christina Rosetti’s poetry.

Mendez has been an active part of the Inland Northwest music community for the past 15 years. He divides his time between conducting, teaching and performing. For the past 18 years at NIC, he has conducted the NIC Cardinal Chorale, Chamber Singers and Cardinal Voices.

Hannaford has taught at NIC for the past six years. On March 22, Hannaford will direct the NIC Wind Symphony in their concert Urban Dances, a program built around dance and movement.

For information, contact NIC Director of Choirs Max Mendez at 208-769-3275 or max.mendez@nic.edu; or NIC Director of Bands Bryan Hannaford at 208-769-3258 or bryan.hannaford@nic.edu.