Seven area high school students belong to a group of over 100 high school singers from 27 cities and 23 high schools who will be performing the outstate Minnesota premiere of Requiem for the Living at the Paramount in St. Cloud April 21 and 23.
Requiem for the Living is an inspiring reflection on the journey of those striving for inner peace after the loss of a loved one. The 45-minute work is a prayer for “rest” (requiem) for those still living.
Clearwater residents Thomas Gross and Spencer Neisen, Clear Lake resident Samantha Pounds, Becker residents Rhiley Larson, Isabelle Swanson and Melody Swanson, and Big Lake resident Audrey Van Den Boom belong to the Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota (YCCM), which is performing the work.
After speaking with a local high school choir director who talked about the challenges of preparing major works that take all year to prepare, the Paramount’s Director of Performing Arts Laurie Johnson decided the Paramount would produce one. She asked YCCM to perform the work.
“I wanted them to have the experience of producing a large choral masterpiece with orchestra, and knew the Paramount would be able to make that happen,” said Johnson. “I’m hoping the performance of this work will inspire high schools and their directors to tackle large pillars of western chorale music in their own programs.”
Artistic Director and Conductor Garrett Lathe selected Requiem for the Living.
“I consider it a privilege to work with these singers from Central Minnesota,” said Lathe. “They come to each rehearsal ready to work hard to create inspiring moments for audiences.”
“To hear these high school singers perform such an inspiring work is incredible.”
Spencer Neisen, parents Greg and Kim, is from Clearwater and is a junior at Cathedral High School. He sings bass 2 in the Youth Chorale and his high school concert and chamber choirs. This is his first year performing with YCCM.
“What sparked me wanting to audition [for the Youth Chorale] was just hearing them perform once,” said Neisen. “Their performance blew me away and I said to myself, ‘I want to do that.’”
“I am honored to be in the Youth Chorale, and the fact that I get to perform a master work for an audience is beyond believable for me. Whenever I go to rehearsal I never leave without a sense of happiness and rejuvenation. That applies to everything I’ve down with Youth Chorale, but the Requiem makes me feel that way especially because it’s built in such a way that you feel what the music is saying.”
Melody Swanson, parents Mark and Helen, is from Becker and is a junior at Becker High School. She sings soprano 2; this is her second year performing with YCCM.
“I loved YCCM since the first time I joined,” said Swanson. “The music we get to sing is all so amazing.”
“Requiem is harder than any other I have done before. We practice really hard each week so we can get the piece down. I can’t wait for others to hear this beautiful work and love it just as much as I do,”
Samantha Pounds, parents Justin and Cathy, is from Clear Lake and is a junior at Becker High School. She sings soprano 1, and has been in Cantabile Choir. Along with Youth Chorale she currently sings in her high school choir and acapella group. This is her third year performing with YCCM.
“I have learned so much from it [Youth Chorale], and look forward to it so much every week,” said Pounds. “Requiem is such a challenging work that requires so much passion and skill, and I have genuinely loved working on it.”
“YCCM is truly amazing. It has helped me realize how much I need music and inspired me to become a music teacher. If anyone is interested in joining I encourage them to audition.”
Requiem for the Living is being performed Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults and $8 for students. To reserve seats call 320-259-5463 or visit paramountarts.org.
