Urban Voices

There is nothing sweeter than the vocal melodies a piece of music has to offer. Such engaging tunes can be comparable to the angelic notes that rise from the heart of a piano. Last Wednesday, I was given the opportunity to get a taste of both worlds as I attended “Urban Spaces, Urban Voices.” This performance by the DaCamera Singers and Players was one that brought cheers to the ears of all.

The evening began with me handing out programs to the audience, always a fun task. After staring at the numerous a mount of empty seats, my eyes quickly focused on the first act, selections from various musicals by the Loyola college singers. Although I did not recognize any of the selections, I quickly grew fond of the melodic voices that soothed my ears. After two melodies, the group finally began the classical lyrics of “West Side Story,” a tale most familiar to me. The tunes of “I feel pretty” rang throughout the chapel. Last, but not least, the young singers finished with “Tonite, Tonite,” my favorite out of the entire musical.

I could not help but notice various empty seats in the chapel. Such scenery saddened my mind. More and more, I attend school functions dedicated to the enlightenment of the mind and the enrichment of the soul; however, I feel alone in my efforts to attend such functions. In Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach’s “The Service of Faith and Promotion of Justice in Jesuit Higher Education,” he promotes getting out of one’s self and trying new things. I believe such ideals have not been re-enforced among much of the Loyola community. I do applaud those who step up in effort to show support towards all of the activities that take place at Loyola. However, I frown at the numbers who attempt to create a supportive atmosphere we here at Loyola can be proud of. It is performances such as this that we as a Jesuit community should look in to and support. I know we all do as we can but better efforts should definitely be attempted by the students at this institution.

The night ended with an amazing piece entitled Rhapsody in Blue, perfected by the marvelous playing of Kevin Gift and the small orchestra. Although this piece was longer than expected, each note had a tune of beauty, a hidden gem within each stroke of the piano. Such beauty reminded me of “Did I Miss Anything?” by Tom Wayman. You miss so much when you do not show up or pay attention to the beauty around you. To miss out on music is like missing out on life. Music is such a huge part of my life; I do not know how to communicate my feelings without it. The students of Loyola must make some form of an effort to attend the activities and opportunities around them. Such advantages come seldom.