NC State’s music program holds a variety of different opportunities for students from all different areas of study. For those who have a preference for singing, the State Chorale is one of the go-to groups, and is certainly one of the most prestigious groups on campus.
The State Chorale is NC State’s premier mixed choir, and was founded by the current director of choral activities Nathan Leaf. At 60 voices strong, the chorale has become a staple of the NC State music department.
“The chorale formed out of the tradition that had already been here before I got here,” Leaf said. “When I came in 2008, there was a smaller group, which was called the Chamber Singers, and I turned that into the 60-voice State Chorale. I also made Vox Accalia, the women’s choir, and Singing Statesman, the men’s choir.”
As a mixed choir, the State Chorale is able to take advantage of a multitude of voices to project a series of wonderful pieces and form cheerful melodies to hauntingly beautiful ballads. With two 90-minute practices each week, it’s easy to see how the choir is able to master each piece they perform.
Although the number of open spots may vary, auditions for new members are held every semester.
Although students may come from different fields of study, they are able to unite under a common love of singing and performance.
“I want people to continue to participate in music at NC State because we’re not really a music school, we’re a STEM school,” said Kristen Lovell, a third-year student studying biomedical engineering and current president of State Chorale. “It’s really cool to see all of these people in engineering, science, or CHASS come together because they love music.”
Leaf said the State Chorale does not focus on any one genre of music and performs a wide variety of pieces. The chorale has incorporated pieces from a variety of languages and time periods and has even been able to bring life to original compositions, including some composed by Leaf himself.
“Any performance can be memorable for a variety of reasons,” Leaf said. “Sometimes there are students who have had a difficult semester, and they come to choir and are supported by each other and by their experience. You never know where people will find meaning in things, and that’s why it’s important that you share and take risks, and that you’re willing to open yourself up to sharing something of beauty with other people because you never know who is going to find meaning in that.”
The group mainly performs in more artistically based performances and has even had the opportunity to participate in a number of collaborations with other choral groups. The majority of their performances take place on campus, although State Chorale has had the opportunity to tour across the world, including performances held in Ireland, Italy and at the Vatican.
“The chorale is always seeking out new composers and new music,” Leaf said. “There’s so much music in the world to perform, and we only have time to do just a small amount of it. We’re always looking for the new opportunities to perform new music that we haven’t heard of before.”
Leaf said he hopes that State Chorale will be able to do more local and regional tours in the future.
“What makes the State Chorale are the students,” Leaf said. “There’s so many talented students on this campus, and we have room in the choral program for all sorts of students. If people are interested in singing in choir, we have a place for them here.”
The State Chorale has a concert scheduled for later this month as well as a planned tour in the spring.
Director of choral activities Nathan Leaf directs the State Chorale during their normally scheduled class time in Price Music Center Thursday. Leaf directs all NC State choral ensembles including State Chorale, a coed ensemble as well as Vox Accalia women's choir and the Singing Statesmen men's choir. As NC State’s premier choral ensemble, the State Chorale generally draws from the more experienced talent of the aforementioned men's and women's choirs.
