In addition to the different choirs performing in the concert, there were also a number of instruments including violins, an organ and a cello. Nathaniel Callaway/The Lion’s Roar

The Southeastern Women’s Chorale, Concert Choir, University Chorus and the North Shore Choral Society got together for an afternoon of music. 

On Apr. 30 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., the four choirs combined their efforts and talents to put on a concert at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington.

Rowe directed selections in the concert. Selections included Jonathan Dove’s “Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars” and Gustav Holst’s “Two Psalms.” 

The concert was made up of numerous pieces spanning a wide amount of time, performed by different choirs overseen by Dr. Alissa Mercurio Rowe, the director of choral activities and associate professor of voice. Brian Martinez and Amy Prats conducted some pieces during the performance. It was Prats’ last performance as a graduate student with the university,  Rowe told the audience that not only were they emotional to see her go, but that she has done an excellent job as a conductor for the choir.

Martinez, an adjunct instructor and director of both the University Chorus and North Shore Choral at the university, shared some reasons of why he loves working with music.

“It’s a fantastic experience,” said Martinez. “I love music, and I love to share it with people. The two pieces we did are kind of unknown, so it was great being able to teach that to the students and even the audience as well. Dr. Owen and I sit over the summer. We talk about and figure out our repertoire and find things that the students might have never seen before. We try to give them an exposure to all kinds of different time periods and things like that.”

Martinez also explained why he decided to work at the university and his inspiration to begin a career in music. He studied at both the university and Florida State. 

“I’ve been singing since I was younger,” said Martinez. “I actually did my undergrad at Southeastern and my masters at Florida State. I just felt I was meant to do it. I got the opportunity to teach it this year, and I just really love it.”

Rowe expanded on why she picked the particular pieces that she directed. She conducted the “Cherubini Requiem” for the last portion of the concert. Other performances were centered about the selection.

“Well, that is a piece I’ve always wanted to do,” said Rowe. “I picked that one first, and I picked the others to kind of fit with it. Brian and Amy helped me find all those pieces, but that one is just absolutely gorgeous.”

Rowe also shared her story of why she got involved in music and how it has personally impacted her.

“I was a singer,” said Rowe. “I remember I would stand on the stage with the orchestra and I’d just weep. It’s just my emotions and everything I couldn’t hold it in. It was all just so beautiful. I just knew that I wanted to do music.”

Despite less than ideal practicing circumstances, Rowe felt the choir did an excellent job in performing the pieces. She accredits the success of their performance to the participating student’s ability to grasp onto concert material at a fast pace.

“The practices went well,” said Rowe. “They couldn’t know what it was going to sound like here and with the orchestra because we were only ever able to practice with piano, so it’s a completely different sound. This was definitely the best they’d sung that. Some of the choirs had worked on it all semester, but two of my choirs, the women’s group and another group, really only worked on this for about six or seven weeks. So, it was only about half the semester, and it’s a lot to learn. That was the best they’ve done.”