Cardinals get glorious with Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’

Musical choruses filled the concert room in Boswell Hall on Tuesday, March 10, in the NIC hosting of “Gloria.” Friends and families gathered eagerly to watch the performance as the choir sang the haunting yet inspiring “Gloria in Excelis”.

Max Mendez, the director of both the Cardinal Choral and the NIC Chamber Singers, welcomed the audience with a wide smile before welcoming Cindy Wood to the stage.

Wood, a representative of Family Promise, spoke at the event, explaining the mission of the organization.

“What we do, really, is transform lives,” Wood explained, an arm extended towards the audience. “We do that through helping with child care and education. So many of our families have gotten their GED through NIC.”

Sponsored by Family Promises, the music of Gloria emphasized their purpose. A quiet, sad note gave way to a harmony of voices and violins, with songs of faith and prosperity filling the list.

The NIC Chamber Singers, Cardinal Chorale and the Cardinal Chamber Orchestra preformed, playing songs such as “Gloria in Excelis” and “Gratias Agimus Tibi.”

Collin Foxwell, a 21-year-old violinist from Colorado Springs, performed alongside Gerard Mathes and Keegan Bernardin as first violin. Shuffling foot to foot, Foxwell explained the orchestra’s preparation, going further to include the multiple shows the orchestra performs annually.

“We’ve been preparing since the beginning of the semester,” Foxwell said after the performance. “I’ve been in for a couple of months.”

The performance received positive reception, with loud applause and standing ovations concluding the event.

“I thought it was wonderful,” a beaming Susie Milliken said, mother of NIC Chamber Orchestra member Valarie Milliken. “We had family in the show.”

The next performance, “From the Pen of John Williams,” will be hosted on March 25 in Schuler Hall at 7:30 p.m.