Choral ensembles, representative of Fresno City College’s vocal music department, entertained a full house of listeners on the evening of Nov. 10. Following their four year tradition, “Reflections” was a concert focused on celebrating the music of cultures from around the world.
Not only was the audience treated with voices from the various choral ensembles and staff musicians from the music department, the concert also spotlighted rich cultural clothing, dancers and speakers who delivered quotes relating to the celebration of cultural diversity. Julie Dana, FCC’s choral director, delivered a quote by George Bernard Shaw, an Irish play-write and social reformist, expressing the general theme and message that the concert conveyed: “The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That’s the essence of inhumanity.”
Encompassing their trip around the world were musical selections from countries such as Spain, Serbia, Israel, Samoa, South Africa, Argentina, Jamaica, Mexico and the United States-with several other countries’ music in between. Each country’s music was sung in its native language.
The concert closed with an arrangement of “Man in the Mirror”, a song made famous by the late Michael Jackson. An audience member, who wished to remain anonymous, commented on the nature of the concert, echoing the idea that acceptance, appreciation and change begins from within, “I see a lot of hate and mistrust today, and it’s nice to be able to forget about that for a while. It inspires change.”
Students might be disappointed at having missed this performance, but there are several other performances scheduled throughout the beginning of December. On-campus events include Ram Jams on Dec. 3 at 8:00 p.m,. an Intermediate/Advanced Voice Recital on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., FCC Orchestra on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Brass and Percussion Ensembles on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Concert Band on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m., String Ensemble on Dec. 10 at 5:00 p.m., and FCC Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information regarding musical performances at Fresno City College, contact the FCC box office at 559-442-8221 or email [email protected].
