The moment the stage lights flared to life in the Main Stage Theater on May 7, the restless hum of the audience vanished and dimmed into a hush. Bathed in the energy, the performers stood on the stage, their faces illuminated by a shifting spectrum of vibrant, colorful stage lights.
Streaks of cool cyan shifting to warm gold collided above the risers, washing the choir in a soft, pearlescent shade of auburn that seemed to shimmer with the opening chord as voices filled the air.
The lighting rose and lent a luminous quality to the atmosphere, as if the light itself were rising to meet the peak of the voices.
As the first notes of the year’s capstone performance broke the silence, the audience sat back to watch the show. The concert served as a sonic gallery, showcasing months of rigorous rehearsal, technical precision and emotional storytelling.
The evening’s program was a testament to the range of the LPC vocalists. From the technical complexities of the Chamber Choir, to the rhythmic energy of BayBop and the melodic charm of the Assorted Songbirds, the concert transitioned seamlessly between genres like early renaissance polyphony to modern jazz.
For Andreas Preponis, Director of Choral & Vocal Studies and Co-Coordinator of the Music Department, the concert was the culmination of a vision that began months ago. Preponis describes his process as finding a “red thread” – a narrative that links diverse pieces into a cohesive emotional journey.
“This semester was especially meaningful because the music touched many people in different parts of their lives,” Preponis said. “I end up with a collection of songs, and then… the songs themselves kind of lead me to find the red thread.”
ASSORTED SONGBIRD from left to right, Kathryn Taylor, Elisa Orellana, and Ches Oliver serenade the audience at the Main Stage Theater at the LPC Mertes Center for the Arts on May 7, 2026. The Assorted Songbirds sang a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Heaven Help Us” for the choral concert. (Photo by Eric Liang/The Express)
The sentiment was echoed by performing vocalist Viv Owens, who noted a profound shift of emotion during the performance of “II Bianco e Dolce Cigno.”
“Overall, I felt so connected with everyone and it felt so spiritual,” Owens said.
The concert served as more than just a performance. It was an outlet for students to prepare for the professional world. Music Department Co-Coordinator Dan Marschak explained how these events prepare students for life after LPC.
“We hope our students will be more prepared to rehearse, refine and perform in concerts in a variety of styles and gain the skills they will need to succeed when they transfer into 4-year music programs or gigs out in the world,” Marschak said.
Technical precision was on full display, particularly in the vocalist’s “mic technique.” Kathryn Taylor, a performing vocalist, highlighted the complexity of singing with handheld microphones in an ensemble. It’s a skill that requires constant awareness of how each voice contributes to the overall chord.
“Jazz is a lot about which notes are the most important for correct tuning,” Taylor said.
“Sometimes you have a note that’s an extension of a chord, so it should be less prominent. There’s a lot of details, like how much each part contributes to the overall sound is a very important thing to keep track of.”
As the night reached its finale, the LPC Chamber Choir joined forces with BayBop and the Assorted Songbirds as the groups united on stage. The LPC Chamber Choir slowly lit up candle lights one by one, making their way to the stage from the audience. As the groups assembled on stage, flashlights began to light up and flicker through the audience, mirroring stars in the night sky.
“When you have everyone, all of your friends, your colleagues behind you, holding you up, it’s not you who’s doing the work, it’s them,” Taylor said. “You’re standing on the backs of all the people who came before you, and who are standing beside you.”
As the colorful stage lights dimmed and the audience’s tiny lights faded, the band sent off the guests with an instrumental serenade. The message of the night faded with the instruments but as Preponis puts it, there’s still hope to be found in the simple, disciplined act of enjoying music and singing in harmony.
“Art helps us to work through processing feelings and emotions that we sometimes can’t put in words ourselves, or that we don’t take the time to work through.” Preponis said. “To have this moment where we focus on singing in harmony and doing something together, is just really healing and a good outlet on channeling our emotions. You’re not dealing with those things alone.”
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TOP PHOTO: Kathryn Taylor of the Assorted Songbirds takes center stage at the LPC Mertes Center for the Arts on May 7, 2026. Taylor ended the chamber choir’s rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Heaven Help Us” with a stellar solo performance. (Photo by Eric Liang/The Express)
Angelina An is a staff writer for The Express. Follow her on X @angiebee_919.
