"It's a pretty exciting year," said Barbara Witham McCargar, Music Chairperson and Director of Vocal Studies at Aquinas. "Sometimes all the stars align." Enthusiastic about the upcoming fall season, especially in light of a popular ArtPrize performance, McCargar, music faculty, and students look forward to a variety of performances at a new batch of venues, all designed to showcase the handwork and diverse range of AQ's burgeoning musicians.

After kicking off the season with their Fall Experience Concert, AQ vocalists and string musicians will host the AQ College Choral and Chamber Strings Concert on November 16 at 3 p.m. This event is designed to "showcase the breadth of literature of our Aquinas College chorus," said McCargar. Here, the AQ Chorus will reprise "I Will Rise," performed during "Voices of The City." As an 2014 ArtPrize entry, "Voices of the City" was "an interfaith, 300 plus member, live choir performance that took place in the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids," according to the ArtPrize website.

This special performance "brought the house down," said Director of Alumni Relations Brigid Avery. Receiving the only standing ovation of the joint-group performance, the AQ Chorus impressed the crowd with their talent and music selection. "They sang with youthful yet mature voices," said Joe Westdorp, AQ graduate of 1961 along with his wife Kathy ‘61. "Kathy and I were really wowed at the organization of the concert—placement of singers, professionalism of conductors, organ accompaniment and rehearsal order; and, the presentation by the Aquinas College Chorus was outstanding!" he said.

The AQ portion of the performance was directed by Dr. Mark Webb, an adjunct professor who continually develops new programming and opportunities for AQ vocalists. "Mark takes an idea and he runs with it," said McCargar. His many projects include creating the Women's Chorus, an audition-based, a cappella group of under 20 voices. Last year, the women's group joined the large choir in their first joint performance, and the two will continue to perform together throughout this upcoming season.

The music department also takes advantage of opportunities to experience varied forms of live performances. Later in the year, the music department will host Opera Meets Broadway with the AQ Chamber Choir, conducted by adjunct Larry Biser, an event reminiscent of the students' experiences of attending Opera Grand Rapids final dress rehearsal performances for free. "That's been tremendous exposure for our students," said McCargar, and the concert will include "very, very wonderful, well-formed voices to bring to the favorites of Broadway."

As a close to the season, the department will host a variety of Christmas-themed performances, including A Service of Lessons and Carols at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on December 7th at 5 p.m. and Celtic Christmas joint concert with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish musicians December 11 at 7:30 p.m. As the last concert of the season, the department welcomes the entire community to the Annual Music Department Christmas Concert on December 14 at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

With success in diverse performances on campus and in the wider community, McCargar company anticipate a fresh, unique season that will lead the Aquinas into the Christmas season. "We just want to draw people into what our students are doing," she said. More information about the upcoming season can be found on the music department's website. These concerts are free and open to the public.