NIC choirs held a free concert previewing the upcoming year Oct. 19 in the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene. The performance featured songs from the Cardinal Chorale, Jazz Co., and the NIC Chamber Singers.
The concert placed a heavy emphasis on multilingualism for two of the three choirs. The Jazz Co. took a different direction with songs like “The Blues Walk” and “In the Wee Hours of the Morning.”
“The jazz portion I listened to was just wonderful and catchy,” said Amber Swearingen, 23, Rathdrum. “I’ll be singing it all night long.”
Swearingen said she had only come to see the Jazz Co., but the choirs’ sound drew her to stay. The Jazz Co. performed four songs before the stage was turned over to the NIC Chamber Singers.
Music Director Max Mendez, who conducts all three choirs, started the Chamber Singers with a relaxing talk to the crowd. He then lead the choir through five songs. The first song, “Ola! Oche bon echo ” (which translates to “Ho there what a fine echo”) was a well rehearsed and fluently sung Italian song. The Chamber Singers ended with the entertaining French-Canadian song “Alouette” before giving way to the Cardinal Chorale.
“I thought the arrangement was great and the singing was awesome,” said Jason Sandusky, 35, Post Falls.
The Cardinal Chorale finished the show. Mendez gave a peaceful end to the concert, introducing the new accompanist Carolyn Jess before the second to last song. The Chorale’s songs included “Wana Baraka,” a Kenyan song, “Chindia, Dirait-on,” and “Cantar,” and the more familiar song “We Praise Thee, O God from Te Deum.” Tones in every group sounded smooth and foreign words were well rehearsed.
NIC speech instructor Mikki Stevens said she though the venue felt sacred and couldn’t wait for the spring performances.
“I thought this one was really especially sweet,” Stevens said.
Upcoming performances include the NIC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Co.,“Close Enough for Jazz” on Nov. 19, “Sounds of Christmas” on Dec. 3 and 4, featuring all three choirs plus the NIC Wind Symphony, and a “Winter Choral Concert” in February.
