The fall choral concert made audience members chuckle and ended in a standing ovation this year. The repertoire included a mix of classical and contemporary arrangements, and even alluded to current social and political challenges.

H. Roz Woll, Voices of the Earth choir director, said her final repertoire often “speaks to some aspect of human life.”

The concert opened with Vox Profundi singing “The Music of Living.” Their second song, “My Spirit Looks to God Alone,” was arranged by Derrick Fox, a composer of Michigan State. Scott Hochstetler, choral director for Vox Profundi gave the piece a brief introduction:

“There was a point in time when singing was very bad,” he said into the mic while explaining the history of shape-note singing.

The low voice choir neared the end of their segment with an acapella version of “Sweet Caroline.” Hochstetler motioned at the audience to sing and “bum, bum, bum” along during the chorus.

Vox Profundi closed with the Nigerian folk song “Oba Se Je,” translated to “Here Comes the King.” The piece included a djembe accompaniment by first-year Jacob Shenk. The singers danced and clapped along to the lively beat.

Next came Voices of the Earth, filling the choral risers with their patterned scarves of various lengths and colors. Accompanying them in their first piece “Ajde Jano” was Ana Yoder Culp on piano.

Before the next song, Woll, took a moment to remind audience members about the power of dance.

“Even in our weakest moments, dance reminds us that the human spirit is indelible,” she said.

Audience members listened intently during “Organize, Agitate, Educate!” The song was one of two by Joan Szymko in the choral concert that evening.

The piece honored the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and its passage into the United States Constitution. The performance included quotes from suffragettes and early activists like Sojourner Truth and Susan B. Anthony.

“If one link of the chain is broken, the chain is broken,” recited Nat Pineda Vasquez, a senior music major.

Voices of the Earth also sang “Plena,” a percussion-driven Puerto Rican arrangement by Diana V. Sáez.

The lights dimmed as the stage crew rearranged for Chamber Choir. When they’re not performing, choir members sit and watch their peers from the Sauder balcony — some even lean forward against the railing, as if trying to get a closer look.

The 31 chamber singers of differing class years and disciplines gently flipped through their choral folders while performing W.A. Mozart’s Coronation Mass piece, “Gloria.” This classical arrangement included a vocal quartet made up of Kate Roth, soprano; Nat Pineda Vasquez, alto; Quinn Wyse, tenor and Anthony Beatriz, bass.

Also part of Chamber performance was Pepper Choplin’s “How Long,” which Hochstetler called “sadly fitting for the times.”

Concert-goer, Cindy Hartler Miller ’84, said the song “pulled at her heartstrings.”

“I could feel the longing,” she said.

Her friend, Betty Kelsey ’71 also attended the concert. During the song, “Music Down in My Soul” performed by Chamber Choir, Kelsey turned and whispered to Miller that she wants this song played when she passes.

Kelsey wrote a note in cursive next to the song in her program: “Betty wants this song at her funeral.”

The selections for the fall choral concert this year left an impression on its audience.