Lehigh University Choral Arts Presents
Soaring Together in Troubled Times
Please come see us perform Joseph Haydn's Missa in Angustiis (Lord Nelson Mass) on April 29th and 30th! The performance of the Lord Nelson Mass, widely considered to be Haydn's single greatest composition, will feature and international cast of soloists, the Choral Arts Symphony Orchestra, and all 120 singers of the LUCA ensemble directed by Sun Min Lee. In addition, our performance will also include some selected works by renowned American women composers Reena Esmail, Florence Price, and Gwyneth Walker in continuation of our celebration of 50 years of women attending Lehigh. As part of this celebration, Dolce is also hosting a reunion on April 30th to which all soprano and alto alumni are welcome. Please see the two posters below for more details. We look forward to seeing you at this final performance of the 2021-2022 season.
Current LUCA members can access the calendar for upcoming rehearsals and events here.
Please feel free to watch or listen to some of our releases from the 2020-2021 season or explore some of our past performances!
Reflections By Alumni
ELLIE (WOODS) KAHLE (’11)
“Choral Arts gave my Lehigh career purpose and an outlet to express myself surrounded by an amazing community. It was my home and safe place.” read more
JOHN COLE (’82)
My dear friend and fellow Lehigh Choir alum, Karen (Lindquist) Randall, ’83, once told me, “I think when you sing with people, you form a bond with them that is unique. A choir is different from your normal circle of friends or other groups you form based on many shared similarities. It’s a more diverse group, drawn together by a single, mutual interest. It’s the love of music that matters, at least at first. Then, as you join voices, something mystical happens. The thrill of creating something of beauty together forges that bond and leads to a realization: the differences between people you thought were there really aren’t there at all. You become a better person. Making music has a powerful effect.” I couldn’t agree more. I’ve heard similar sentiments from other musicians, and I know it’s true for me. read more
LEHIGH CHORAL ARTS – ALL SINGERS WELCOME!
Lehigh 's strong tradition of singing dates back to 1869. In 1978, the Glee Club and Chamber Singers combined under director Robert ("Boss") Cutler to form the University Choir. Since then, under Dr. Steven ("Doc") Sametz, the program has grown to include four ensembles: The mixed-voice Univesity Choir; our male Glee Club; our treble choir, Dolce; and our symphonic choir, the Choral Union, comprised of students, staff, faculty and townspeople.
Professor Sun Min Lee joined the Lehigh University Choral Arts family in 2011. She leads a dynamic program with our treble choir, Dolce, and often directs the University Choir and Choral Union.
Students in our ensembles come from all disciplines of the University. Singers in the Glee Club and Dolce are selected from the University Choir, so there is only one audition required for these three groups. All ensembles are offered for University credit.
The Choral Union is one of Lehigh's most successful outreach programs, bringing townspeople, faculty, staff and students together to perform on campus three times each year. The Choral Union combines with our other ensembles to perform masterworks of the choral-orchestral repertoire such as Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Orff's Carmina Burana, as well as opera choruses, a cappella repertoire, and works specially composed for them. No audition is required for the Choral Union, but singing experience is recommended. Townspeople and Lehigh staff and faculty may see more information on joining Choral Union here.
All of our groups have the excitement of touring internationally. Past tours have included Hungary, Austria, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, France, Germany, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Portugal, Italy, and Spain.
Students: For more information on auditions or any questions, please contact Jacob Thompson (jat223@lehigh.edu). Townspeople, faculty and staff interested in joining Choral Union may contact Charis Lasky (charislucu@comcast.net).