The Montclair State University Chorale Performs Beethoven's 9th Symphony with Style and Class

The Montclair State University Chorale made its masterwork debut with Maestro Neeme Järvi and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) with three performances to celebrate the opening of the NJSO’s 2007-08 season in late October. Performing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, a monumental work that emphasizes the belief in freedom from oppression and faith in the unity of humanity, the MSU Chorale defied all obstacles and gave audiences a performance to remember.

Maestro Neeme Järvi, principal conductor and artistic director, was thrilled with their performance from the first orchestra rehearsal, said Heather J. Buchanan, MSU’s Director of Choral Activities.

"The students performed well and compliments flew thick and fast, from the orchestral players, the General Manager and the audience members," stated Buchanan, who has been an assistant professor of music at Montclair State since September 2003.

Buchanan, who prepared the students for this "make or break" performance, was reveling in the glory of her students’ sweet success at NJPAC and the State Theater. "This event was extremely important. It put us center stage in the masterwork repertoire, and it has given our students a professional performance experience that will benefit them immensely on both their musical and life journeys."

The MSU Chorale, which performed The Lord of the Rings Symphony with the NJSO under Maestro John Mauceri in December of 2004, sang to three full houses and every performance received standing ovations with an extra-special cheer for the Chorale.

Before the performances with the NJSO, the MSU Chorale had never performed this type of repertoire at the level of intensity that a professional engagement demands. With only a few weeks to learn the music, Buchanan gathered her ambitious students for 22 hours of practice including three Sunday night three-hour long rehearsals.

In fact, one of the senior members of the orchestra told Buchanan he was reluctant in putting his faith with the MSU Chorale, which had taken the place of Rider University's Westminster Symphonic Choir. But after the MSU Chorale lifted their vibrant voices, he was truly amazed by the depth of their talent and professionalism.

"Accepting this invitation was a big risk and it paid off. The success of the performance has brought tremendous kudos to the John J. Cali School of Music, the College of the Arts and Montclair State University," said Buchanan, who is a graduate and former conducting faculty member of the Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a former singer with the Westminster Symphonic Choir. "This experience is something that will stay with us, and feed us, for a very, very long time."