Maryville College’s Off Kilter, Lads, Lassies to sing ‘Songs of Love’ for upcoming performance
Feb. 7, 2023
Writer James Thurber once described love as “the strange bewilderment which overtakes one person on account of another person,” and for the small vocal ensembles at Maryville College, such an assessment accurately reflects the breadth of programming for their “Songs of Love” Valentine’s Day concert.
“The ancient Greeks had many different words for love, which allows us to more accurately define it,” said Stacey Wilner, director of choral activities at Maryville College. “Eros, for example, is passionate love, brought by Cupid’s arrow. Philia is friendship based on companionship and trust. Storge is familial love that exists between parents and their children.
“Agape is a universal love that encompasses the modern concept of altruism and the love of nature and the sacred divine. Ludus is playful and flirtatious love that is undemanding but long-lasting. Pragma is a type of practical love based on loyalty and long-term goals. Philautia is self-love and a healthy appraisal of our own value. The music we are performing at this concert fits into many of these ancient descriptions.”
The performance will feature choral music by the MC small ensembles Off Kilter, a soprano-alto-tenor-bass ensemble of primarily upper-level students that performs locally at banquets, conferences and social events; as well as two breakout small groups that focus on both singing and stewardship: the Lads, a TTBB ensemble, and the Lassies, an SSAA group.
Wilner will direct Off Kilter and the Lassies, and former Maryville College Community Chorus leader Alan Eleazer will return to the stage to direct the Lads.
“One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about working with the Lads is that the main focus of this ensemble would be relationships and love,” Eleazer said. “These talented men love music, and love making music together because they genuinely love each other. Our songs for this concert run the love gamut from the humorous to the desire to go home, and even the enjoyment of contemporary popular music.”
“For Off Kilter and Lassies, I chose music based on the theme of love, with emphasis on the various forms that love can take,” Wilner added. “Some of our selected pieces deal with romantic love; others focus on other expressions of love, such as love for one’s country, a mother for her child, religious devotion and more.”
Selections for the Lassies include “Skye Boat Song,” arranged by Paul Lankford; “The Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre; “Truth” by Andrea Ramsey; and “Nothin’ Gonna Stumble My Feet,” arranged by Greg Gilpin. The Lads will sing “When I Go Home” by Travis L. Boyd; “Seven Bridges Road” by the Eagles; and “If You Only Got a Moustache” by Stephen Foster.” Works on the program that will be performed by Off Kilter include “If Ye Love Me” by Thomas Tallis; “Set Me as a Seal” by René Clausen; “Dirait-on” from Les Chansons des Roses, a song cycle by Morten Lauridsen based on lyrical poems by Rilke; and the always popular and traditional Scottish ballad “Loch Lomond,” arranged by Jonathan Quick.
“It is so humbling to once again realize that ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same,’ as the saying goes,” Wilner said. “While the Ancient Greeks defined love so clearly centuries ago, many generations since have experienced a similar emotional journey through all of its various facets during the course of their lives.”“Songs of Love” will be performed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, in the Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall at the Clayton Center for the Arts on the MC campus. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the Clayton Center website, and Maryville College faculty, staff and students will be admitted for free. Call 865-981-8590 for more information.