Founded in 1837, the 140-voice Oberlin Musical Union is the second-oldest continuing choral tradition in the United States. (Only Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society, founded in 1815, represents a longer ongoing tradition.) This group performs the great works for chorus and orchestra. Recent presentations include Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Orff's Carmina Burana, Haydn’s Creation, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem Mass, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. The Musical Union is a unique opportunity for Oberlin community members to join with Oberlin College musicians in performing these works. Typically, MU performs one concert a semester, rehearsing Monday evenings through the academic calendar. Concerts are performed in Finney Chapel with the College Orchestra. MU rehearses with Dr. Gregory Ristow, Director of Vocal Ensembles of the Oberlin Conservatory. Photo by John Seyfried. The Musical Union was founded by George Nelson Allen, who transferred to Oberlin Collegiate Institute in 1836, after finding his "liberal views on reform and theology" in conflict with those held at Western Reserve College in Hudson, Ohio. While still a student here, Allen was appointed Instructor in Science of Music, and he needed a choir. Planning on joining? Please let us know you're coming by clicking here If you know other singers who should be singing with us -- maybe those who've sung in the past but not recently, singers you know from a church or community choir, or that guy who's always humming beautifully at Slow Train -- please reach out to them, give them my email (gristow [AT] oberlin.edu), and encourage them to join us for a delightful year of music making. You are our greatest recruitment tool, and so I hope you will do all you can to bring in as many people as possible in the next few weeks. Can't make it to our concert? Listen to it live! or Purchase a CD recording. |
MU ResourcesSpring, 2017April 30, 2017 Francis Poulenc, Gloria Past Performances:Orff: Carmina Burana Jean Langlais, Messe Solennelle Francis Poulenc, Stabat Mater, OC Choir Bernstein, Chichester Psalms
May 3, 2015 English Choral WorksDr. Jason Harris, conducting Scott VanOrnum, organ December 7, 2014 Brahams Tragic Overture;
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Musical Union rehearses Monday nights from 7:15-9:30pm onstage in Finney Chapel or other locations as announced. Musical Union is open to all who wish to join, student or community resident alike.