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Concert Choir will perform an original composition by biology major Jonathan Esser ’09 (Downingtown, Pa.) at its spring concert 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28 in the Williams Center for the Arts. The performance is free and open to the public.
Entitled “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” the piece features music by Esser and text by poet Robert Frost. Esser also will be a member of the performing ensemble.
“This piece, a short choral work composed for the brilliant Robert Frost text ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay,’ is born largely of my studies last semester in the course 20th Century Harmonic Practice taught by Skip Wilkins [assistant professor of music],” Esser says. “The poem deals with the ephemerality and beauty of youth, a subject most pertinent to me as a young adult, the revelations of which I mused upon this winter as I finished the piece.”
Esser is especially grateful for the guidance of Jennifer Kelly, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. Kelly will conduct the one-hour program accompanied by Bethann Kratzer on piano.
“Composing a piece involves mathematics, a clear understanding of musical language, method, technique, and emotional connection,” says Kelly. “For a composer to have her or his piece realized by live musicians is quite special. The rehearsal process provides an invaluable amount of learning that goes beyond the composition.”
For Esser, this year’s Concert Choir has proved to be the ideal group to perform his debut choral composition.
“I am both enthused and honored that this group under this director will be performing my work,” he says.
Esser also composed a musical piece for performance on the ice theremin that was created by a team of engineering students in conjunction with the Williams Center’s On Ice exhibit.