Department of Music
What are people saying about the choirs?
May 2006—"Having just moved to the Rogue Valley nine months ago from San Francisco, on May 7 I attended the Southern Oregon University Chamber Choir and Repertory Singers performance of Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor, at SOU, conducted by Dr. Paul French. I sat in total amazement and delight at the spectacular and glorious sound of this group. It measured up to anything I have heard in any concert hall...anywhere. The discipline and deep musicality drawn from the chorus by Dr. French filled me with joy, and the great music they produced rang in my head for days following the performance. The Rogue Valley is indeed fortunate to have such a organization, led by such a talented conductor, residing within its borders."
Willene Gunn
Director Emerita
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Opera Program
May 2006—I had the privilege recently to attend the performance given at Southern Oregon University, under the conductor Dr. Paul French, of Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor in the new edition by Robert Levin. Dr. French utilized the resources of two choral groups, the young and vibrant voices of the Southern Oregon University Chamber Choir and the older, more mature Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, who, together, produced a sound truly remarkable and which seemed just right for the Mass. The performance was true to Mozart style in every sense, and I greatly admired Dr. French’s wisdom in utilizing these choral resources.
The performance of the Mass was preceded by a movement from one of Mozart’s piano concertos, performed at the keyboard by Jodi French. This work too bore the stamp of authenticity to the instrumental music of one of the world’s greatest composers. I commend Dr. French on every count for choosing the program wisely for exquisite balance between instrumental and vocal forces.
It was a concert to remember.
William Ballard, Ph.D.
Formerly Director of the Northwestern University Choral Organizations and the San Francisco Boys Chorus
