Zach Lundquist ’24  |  Published March 20, 2024

Home Concert

Back from touring Greece, three Monmouth music ensembles to perform on campus March 23.

A CLASSIC SETTING: When they weren't giving one of their three performances in Greece, the Monmouth music ensembles wer... A CLASSIC SETTING: When they weren't giving one of their three performances in Greece, the Monmouth music ensembles were able to do some sight-seeing.MONMOUTH, Ill. – After their international tour in Greece during Monmouth College’s spring break, the Chamber Winds, Chorale and Chamber Choir are back on campus.

The three ensembles will present a “home concert” at 7:30 p.m. March 23 in the Kasch Performance Hall of Dahl Chapel and Auditorium, performing music from their tour. The event is free and open to the public.

“I’m very excited to perform this music at home after such a fantastic trip,” said Chorale director and music professor Tim Pahel. “These performers have dedicated so much effort to this program and have grown tremendously as musicians since leaving for Greece just over a week ago. I hope to see a full house on Saturday to support our students and celebrate what they have accomplished.”

“These performers have dedicated so much effort to this program and have grown tremendously as musicians since leaving for Greece just over a week ago.” – Tim Pahel

Directed by music professor Justin Swearinger, the Chamber Winds feature select members of the Wind Ensemble. The challenges of international travel forced the ensemble to use light instrumentation in Greece, which brings a unique timbre to their selections and breathes new life into their pieces. At the March 23 concert, the group will perform a wide range of genres and moods, from the eerie and contemplative sounds of Sean Klink’s “Constellations” to a fun and bright medley of songs from the film My Neighbor Totoro.

The Chorale and Chamber Choir will present an entirely a cappella program.

The central piece of the Chorale’s portion is “We Can Mend the Sky” by Jake Runestad, a gripping setting of a poem written by a Somali refugee about her experience fleeing the country, focusing on hope for a better tomorrow. Reviewers described the piece as “a journey of musical genius from beginning to end” and one that “beautifully captures the hopes and dreams of all immigrants – safe haven and opportunity.” Other highlights include an African spiritual and a jazz arrangement of Paul Simon’s “Old Friends.”

Related Stories

Back to News & Events

Did you know?

  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an active Pipe & Drum Band. Each year on Scholars Day in April the bagpipers wake students up at 6:00 a.m. by playing in the residence halls!</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/music/pipe-band/" target="_blank">Pipe Band</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers unique academic minors in Global Public Health and Global Food Security for students who want to use their education to address global challenges. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-public-health/" target="_blank">Global Public Health</a></li><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-food-security/" target="_blank">Global Food Security</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 99% of Monmouth students received some type of scholarship or financial assistance.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/offices/student-financial-planning/types-of-aid/scholarships/" target="_blank">Scholarships</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We offer a certified Peace Corps Preparation program that gives Peace Corps bound graduates a leg up in the application process.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/peace-corps-prep/" target="_blank">Peace Corps Prep</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an educational garden and 6.7 acre farm. Students grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to sell at the local farmer’s market. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/academics/only-at-monmouth/educational-garden-farm/" target="_blank">Garden & Farm</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 98% of Monmouth graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/wackerle-center/career-services/" target="_blank">Career Preparation</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College covers the cost for all current students to get a U.S. passport. Unlock access to over 198 different countries! We’ll even help with the paperwork :)</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/study-abroad/" target="_blank">Study Abroad</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers several international trips each year during 2-week Scots Terms in January and May. Recently students have traveled to Botswana, Greece, Scotland, Japan, and more. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/offices/global-engagement/" target="_blank">Scots Term</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p><strong>Monmouth College is the birthplace of the women’s fraternity movement. Pi Beta Phi, the first such collegiate women’s organization, was founded at Monmouth in 1867. It was followed three years later by Kappa Kappa Gamma. The two pioneering organizations today boast a total of 275 active chapters nationwide.</strong></p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/student-life/sororities-fraternities/" target="_blank">Sororities & Fraternities</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We’re no stranger to winning. Last year the Fighting Scots won Midwest Conference championships in Football, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Men’s Track and Field. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthscots.com/" target="_blank">Fighting Scots</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College is proudly test optional. Applicants may choose whether or to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission and scholarship consideration. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/admission/apply/test-optional/" target="_blank">Test Optional</a></li></ul></div></aside>