The Quarryland Men’s Chorus gave its first offering of the 2025 winter concert Saturday night at 7:30 pm at the First United Church of Bloomington, located at 2420 E. 3rd Street (right near the IU Credit Union building).
I will cut to the chase here: if you love beautiful music, or if you love the holiday season, or if you love both, get ye to this church on Sunday, December 7, by 3:00 pm, to hear the second offering of this concert. (That is, this afternoon as I write this). Do this especially if your response to the title “Stay Gold” is anything close to my initial puzzled reaction. Finding out is a joy and a comfort.
This was a superbly crafted suite of songs, delivered with great musicianship and emotion by the Quarryland Men’s Chorus and led by Artistic Director Mitch Serslev. Here are just a few comments on highlights of the concert:
- The program kicked off with two songs by Stephen Schwartz, starting with a lovely rendition of “Morning Glow.” Then “The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights).” This is a wonderful piece that captures the essence of the holiday spirit. This piece was where the Quarryland gift for a bit of stage theater shone through most brightly. And here, perhaps more than anywhere else, the combined gifts of Claudia Santana Núñez (piano) and Jody Brinegar (percussion) had the most impact. Their sensitive playing – along with Tim Lerzak on guitar for some songs – was a key part of the musicality of the entire concert.
- Then ‘Stay Gold.’ This song was introduced by Doug Bauder – one of the founding members of Quarryland who remains active today and a legend in his own right. He talked about how he in particular struggled with the meaning of the words, and he decided for him it meant to stay positive in dark and challenging times. There was plenty of applause this evening, but the applause after Doug’s remarks was particularly long and warm. And the song? This is one of the pieces on the program that I did not know, and it touched me deeply. But fair warning: if you go to the show this afternoon with someone, bring two handkerchiefs, one for each of you. I brought only one and was deprived of it by my wife for much of this song.
- The first half of the program ended with a wonderful singalong, participation in which you will enjoy deeply.
- The second half of the program opened with a solo by Rex Hinkle in the beautiful and haunting “Wassail the Trees.” This song in particular took great advantage of the wonderful chapel of the First United Church and how it was decorated for the season and the concert.
- Near the end of the program came two of the biggest musical highlights. The Quarryland Men’s Chorus participated in the world premiere of two madrigals composed by IU alum Eric Knechtges. These new pieces were commissioned by Quarryland and two other men’s choruses. They are challenging, with some wonderful but complex chord progressions. During the first of the two, there were moments when one could sense that Chorus was dealing with a new piece being interpreted from the written score for the first time ever. And yet during it there were also striking moments of pure and innovative beauty. The Chorus really leaned in to the a cappella singing with full voice and complete comfort in the second of the two pieces. It was musically one of the most interesting pieces of the night and my favorite of these two.
- Then the Beatles classic, “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight,” featuring Adrian Ghandtchi as soloist. Adrian’s emotional range with his voice is remarkable and this song brought the house down. Artistic Director Mitch Serslev was speechless for just a moment, and then simply said, “I am blessed. Are we all not blessed?”
At the end of the program, Quarryland Board of Directors President Constance Cook Glen acknowledged and thanked the many supporters of this fine organization.
Tickets cost $20 per person. If you were not at the Saturday evening performance, there is nothing more important and nothing more enjoyable and nothing more hopeful that you can do this afternoon than attend the Quarryland Men’s Chorus second and last performance of its winter program – 3 pm at United Church in Bloomington.
Those of us who believe love and compassion constitute first principles are living in a social darkness deeper than any we have seen in decades. In this time of physical and spiritual darkness the Quarryland Men’s Chorus brings us light and says to all of us: we are here, we have always been here, and we are staying here. As always, Quarry soothes that which ails in each of us as they sing with musicality and love.
I am still not entirely sure what to make of the title “Staying Gold,” but Doug Bauder’s explanation and another wonderful interpretation by Joachim Ladwig helped. I’m going to go with stay positive and hold hands and hearts together to continue shining our own light. The darkness around us will fade, in part thanks to fine singing and dedicated musicians such as the Quarryland Men’s Chorus.