The Collegian

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Arts

At the annual spring concert, the Hillsdale College Choir will perform Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana."

The performance will feature student percussionists, including senior Rob Ogden, and several student soloists, including junior Emily Thiessen, sophomore Isaac Johnson, sophomore Nick Nestorak, and fifth-year senior Jeff Myers.

"It's very rhythm-oriented," Holleman said.

A series of poems written in Latin by monks during the 13th century, the piece describes the imperfection of secular life, Holleman said. The monks who authored the poems, themselves "on the outskirts of the church," lived during a time in which the divide between secular and spiritual lifestyles was much more defined, he added.

The poems were discovered in 1803 in a Bavarian mona-stery.

Unlike many previous performances by the choir, including last semester's "Messiah," the production will take place in Markel Auditorium, instead of College Baptist Church.

"The text isn't really appropriate to do in a church," Holleman said. "It has been exaggerated for its bawdiness. Put in historical context, a lot of that goes away."

Nonetheless, Holleman has worked to keep choir and audience members from being offended by the piece.

"I chose a translation that's PG," he said. "Some are more racy than others."

The bawdiest movements are "Spring," "In the Tavern" and "The Court of Love."

For audience members who do not speak Latin, the program will include translations of the lyrics.

The Chamber Choir will open the concert with three pieces they are currently recording for their CD.



The Choir will perform on April 25 at 8 p.m. and on April 26 at 2 p.m. The performance lasts about an hour. Students who wish to attend should call the box office at 517-607-2848 to reserve tickets.

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