YSU Love, peace in air at spring choral concert

YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's Dana Choral Department will present "Spring Choral Concert," under the direction of Dr. Hae-Jong Lee of Poland, at 8 p.m. May 2 at St. Columba Cathedral, Wood and Elm streets, downtown.
The cathedral sanctuary is known as one of the finest acoustical halls in Ohio.
Dana Choirs (University Chorus, Dana Chorale and Symphonic Choir) will perform various pieces under the subtitle of "love, peace and celebrations." Expressing "peace," Faur & eacute;'s Requiem will be the main repertoire of the concert.
The Requiem will be performed by the Dana Symphonic Choir accompanied by an assembled orchestra, and will be dedicated to people who lived their life "with a spirit of love and celebration." Featured soloists will be Brianne Kochunas of Warren (soprano) and Vince Basile of Labelle, Pa. (baritone). Professor Dr. John Wilcox of Canfield will be featured violin soloist.
Wilcox directs the Dana Chamber Orchestra and performs as violinist with the Amici Trio and as concertmaster of the Warren Chamber Orchestra. For seven years, he was concertmaster of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. He remains active as an adjudicator, recitalist and private violin instructor.
The Symphonic Choir also will perform Past Life Melodies by Sarah Hopkins, an Australian composer, among other works. The featured accompanist is Kathy Miller, organist and music director for First Presbyterian Church of Warren, who is serving as a professional accompanist at Dana.
A master musician
Hae-Jong Lee, a native of South Korea, has directed a variety of choirs in Korea and United States for more than 20 years. He earned his bachelor of music degree from Seoul National University, his master's in music from Westminster Choir College and his doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting and literature from the University of Illinois. He joined Dana in 2002 as director of choral activities, and directs its chorale, University Chorus and Symphonic Choir. Besides teaching undergraduate choral/instrumental conducting class, advanced choral conducting and voice class, he supervises graduate choral conducting students.
He remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for a variety of choral events in the United States and Korea, including a recent appearance as guest conductor for the professional Pusan (Korea) City Choir.
He and his wife, Emiko Kobori, live in Poland with their 6-year-old son, Noah.
XThe concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Music Department office at (330) 941-3636.