Trinity Concert Choir Performs with Southwest Symphony Orchestra

Earlier this month, Trinity’s Concert Choir performed for the first time with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra for an “Afternoon of Lerner & Loewe.”

The Southwest Symphony Orchestra (SSO), headquartered in Oak Lawn, Illinois, is a group of approximately 60 active members and is directed by David Crane.

The SSO, with guest soloists Molly Clodius and Robert Heitzinger, and the choir, directed by Dr. Helen Van Wyck, associate professor of music, serenaded an audience of approximately 700 during the 90-minute show. The performance consisted of melodies from the famous musicals of Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, Gigi, and My Fair Lady, compiled into a single score by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.

“This is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” said Van Wyck during one of the choir’s practices. “Working with David Crane, a gifted musical genius, is a very unique opportunity, especially for a small-college choir of 50.”

Entering a new genre of music was initially a challenge for the choir, especially in performing alongside a larger instrumental ensemble. Despite this, the choir and orchestra delivered a “simply splendid performance,” said Crane.

“It has been a sincere pleasure to work with such talented students and Dr. Van Wyck,” he said.

For more information about Trinity’s music department, visit https://tcc.trnty.edu/depts/music/.