The Milligan University Orchestra and Concert Choir performed at Mary B. Martin Auditorium on Saturday, April 18, where they collaborated with the choirs from Elizabethton High School and David Crockett High School.
Titled “At the Threshold,” the Milligan Orchestra played an array of pieces, from film music, such as “Coco” to hymns such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
The theme “At the Threshold” reflects a period of transition, such as crossing from earthly life into eternal life. Dr. Kellie Brown, the orchestra director, drew inspiration from the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and from ancient Rome and the early Church.
“For several pieces, it was about the ultimate threshold of crossing from this life into the next (e.g., “Requiem,” “Remembrance,” “Music from Coco”),” said Brown. “‘Remembrance’ was written as a memorial for the victims of 9/11. I also chose it as a memorial to the composer, Dr. Sarah Gibson, who died of cancer in 2024 at age 38…Thresholds can cause us to think deeply about our lives and experience a multitude of emotions, such as grief from loss or awe from the vast mystery of God’s universe (e.g., “Interstellar Dreams”).”
The finale combined the orchestra and all three choirs, performing “Requiem” by composer John Rutter.
“It’s about departing to the afterlife and praying to God for their protection as we send them off to heaven,” said vocalist Ariana Floyd. She believes that music can help people process major life transitions. “Music has been a really big form of therapy, and I think it is a form of therapy for a lot of people.” She said praying and worshiping through music, rather than just through words, tends to resonate with audiences and can enable emotions to emerge rather than be suppressed.
A successful performance does not come without its challenges.
“I get really distracted,” said violinist Marion Tallon. “I’m looking at my stand to read my music and then looking up at the director to see her cue, and I want to watch the choir [too].”
Blending voices from different choirs can also be challenging.
“The more performers you assemble for a concert, both in numbers and in types of voices and instruments, the more complicated the logistics are from distributing the music, to communicating the details of rehearsals, to the logistics of arranging everyone on stage,” said Brown.
“It’s about trusting my friends who are the choir directors at the two different high schools,” said Dr. Noah DeLong, director of the Milligan Concert Choir. “I know how they teach, and they know how I teach…Having learned the part separately, it was exciting to see it all come together in rehearsal.”
Despite its challenges, the rewards of collaborating with different choirs are immense.
“With such a large choir and orchestra, Seeger Chapel reverberated fully with transcendent sound,” said Brown. She describes the benefits that come from having high school students join with Milligan students. “These high school musicians get to experience what it is like to study music at a university level, and hopefully some of them will be interested in attending Milligan.” In addition to partnering with high school musicians, Milligan students had the opportunity to work with professional musicians from the region.
The Milligan Concert Choir will perform at commencement ceremonies in Seeger Chapel on May 2 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Photo: Milligan Orchestra and Choir perform with Elizabethton High School and David Crockett High School Choirs in Seeger Chapel
