Immigrants provide the theme for Chamber Singers' 35th anniversary concerts

Andrew S. Hughes, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read
Based at Saint Mary's College, the South Bend Chamber Singers celebrate the ensemble's 35th anniversary with concerts May 19, 2024, at Saint Mary's and May 31 at Goshen College.
Based at Saint Mary's College, the South Bend Chamber Singers celebrate the ensemble's 35th anniversary with concerts May 19, 2024, at Saint Mary's and May 31 at Goshen College.

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Chamber Singers celebrate the ensemble’s 35th anniversary with two concerts:

• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Church of Loretto, Sain t Mary’s College

• 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31 at the Goshen College Music Center

Titled “Crossing Borders: Songs of the Immigrant,” the program features two major works that spotlight the immigrant experience.

The first piece, by Australian-American composer Melissa Dunphy, is the world premiere of the mixed chorus version of a work originally composed for the professional male chorus Cantus, “N-400 Erasure Songs.”

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The form N-400 is a U.S. application for naturalization. Dunphy asked two poets to black out portions of text on the form; the remaining words forming new poetry that she set to music.

A press release says that the first movement is haunting and mournful, while the second pulses with the anxious spirit of one sinking in the quicksand of bureaucracy, while the third offers reassurance upon arrival.

The second major work is American composer Henry Mollicone’s “Misa de los Inmigrantes,” (Mass for the Immigrants) for soprano solo, female narrator, chorus and instrumental ensemble.

The work was written as a tribute to all immigrants in the hope of raising awareness of injustices in the immigration system. Its narrative depicts the true story of Guadalupe and her family, and their difficult journey from Mexico to the United States.

The Mass itself follows the traditional Mass Ordinary, in Spanish. The narrations, in English, link each movement.

The program contains several shorter works as well, including one the Chamber Singers commissioned and premiered in December 2022 from American composer Joseph Gregorio.

Each concert benefits an agency that works with immigrants: La Casa de Amistad in South Bend and the Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen.

Tickets are $25 for the May 19 and $25-$15 for the May 31 concert.

For more information, visit southbendchambersingers.org and goshen.edu/tickets.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Chamber Singers celebrate 35th anniversary with concerts