Presenting its 2025 Winter Band and Choir Concert on Saturday, March 1 at 3 p.m. Lakeland University’s music program will showcase an arrangement of choral and instrumental pieces displaying the passion and importance of music on campus. Both the band and choir will exhibit various pieces of different languages, composers and literature.
Emily Alvarez, the choir director, and Evan Chancellor, the band director, note how important the music program is at Lakeland University. Alvarez spoke about “watching the friendships that are created between students when they work toward a common goal.” Similarly, Chancellor believes that attending events such as this one is important as it features students and their work, aligning with Lakeland’s mission. He believes the music program plays a crucial role in a thriving campus culture.
The Lakeland University band and choir programs are open to all students, no audition is needed. Many students do not major in music but enjoy participating in the program anyway. This program opens up students for a new sense of discovery within themselves. Student Bryndyn Schroeder, a junior, shared his experiences in the choir, reflecting on how music changed his time on campus. Schroeder began as a computer science major with a music minor. Once he developed a deeper connection with the music and the program, he changed his major to music, giving him “the amazing opportunity to be surrounded by friends and musicians that really love what they do.”
Attendees on March 1 should expect a lively show handpicked by both directors to highlight the best of their students and entertain their audience. If someone is interested in learning more about being involved or viewing Lakeland University’s music program, the Winter Band and Choir Concert will be the perfect place to start. Alvarez invites everyone to attend the concert “to hear the hard work of our band and choir students as they showcase their work in this first concert of the semester!” Students will also earn a convocation credit for their attendance.
The choir arrangements will include:
- “Bonse Aba” by Victor C. Johnson
- “Cantique de Jean Racine” by John Rutter
- “Dirait-on” by Morten Lauridsen
- “O Love” by Elaine Hagenberg
- “Rise, Shine” by Marques L. A. Garrett and Tom Trenney
The band arrangements will include:
- “Prestissimo” by Karl King
- “Shenandoah” arranged by Omar Thomas
- “Chasing Sunlight” by Cait Nishimura
- “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
