Lux Aeterna
University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen conductor
The University of South Dakota Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. David Holdhusen proudly presents LUX AETERNA, a new album of choral works from Navona Records. As its title suggests, this collection employs the power of music to shed light into the lives of listeners. Beautifully performed by the elite group of vocalists carefully selected from the university’s student body, the album evokes a variety of musical genres, vocal colors, and historical styles, taking listeners on a spiritual journey through life’s tribulations to ultimate redemption. LUX AETERNA is a meditation on universal human themes that listeners will find richly meaningful.
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"The voices sound lovely."
"In simplest terms, the hour-long release aspires to use music's power to illuminate the lives of listeners... Consider said aspirations resoundingly achieved"
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Word Was God | Rosephanye Powell | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 2:44 |
| 02 | Ave Maria | Josquin Des Prez | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 5:01 |
| 03 | Akekho Ofana No Jesu | Traditional, arr. Daniel Jackson | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor; Eldon Warner, soloist; Nick Engbers, Noah Larson, Abby Beach, Savannah Kirsch - percussion | 3:12 |
| 04 | Agnus Dei | Samuel Barber | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 6:39 |
| 05 | Wade In The Water | Traditional, arr. Moses Hogan | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor; Taylor Bunkers, Kevin Huizenga, Bailey Quade, De Shonté Helm, Mariah Seeley - soloists | 3:19 |
| 06 | O Salutaris Hostia | Ēriks Ešenvalds | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor; Mikayla Trenhaile, Nicole Gerdes - soloists | 3:13 |
| 07 | Soon I Will Be Done | Traditional, arr. Stacey Gibbs | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor; Bailey Quade, soloist | 4:26 |
| 08 | Gaelic Blessing | John Rutter | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 2:02 |
| 09 | Will The Circle Be Unbroken | arr. J. David Moore | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 2:29 |
| 10 | Ubi Caritas | Ola Gjeilo | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 3:46 |
| 11 | What Do The Stars Do | Jonny Priano | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 5:56 |
| 12 | Ezekiel | Traditional, arr. Stacey Gibbs | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 3:44 |
| 13 | Were You There | Traditional, arr. Christopher H. Harris | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor; Adam Lange, soloist | 7:05 |
| 14 | Lux Aeterna | Brian Schmidt | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor | 3:39 |
| 15 | Wake Up, Ollie Brown! | Ben Allaway | University of South Dakota Chamber Singers | David Holdhusen, conductor; Hannah Lambertz, Saint; Brian Rasmussen, Ollie Brown; Kristian Asfeldt, Devil | 6:19 |
Producer David Holdhusen
TRACKS 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15
Recorded March 2015, March 2019, April 2021, at Aalfs
Auditorium in Slagle Hall, Vermillion SD
Recording Session Engineer Doug Geston, Westmark Productions
TRACKS 3-4, 6-7, 10, 13
Recorded Live March, 2020 at First Congregational Church in
Sioux Falls, SD
Recording Session Engineer Scott Faragher, Earsay Audio Recordings
Cover Photo Spencer Smith
Executive Producer Bob Lord
Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Director Brandon MacNeil
A&R Chris Robinson
General Manager of Audio & Sessions Jan Košulič
Production Director Levi Brown
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
Mastering Shaun Michaud
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Patrick Niland, Sara Warner
Artist Information
David Holdhusen
Dr. David Holdhusen is the Director of Choral Activities and the Douglas and Susan Tuve Distinguished Professor of Choral Music at the University of South Dakota. His responsibilities include serving as conductor for the Chamber Singers and teaching courses in conducting. In addition to his teaching duties, Holdhusen is currently the Chair of the Department of Music and Director of the university’s annual Choral Directors Institute as well as the USD Summer Music Camp. He is also the co-founder and Executive Director of the Vermillion Children’s Chorus.
USD Chamber Singers
Comprised of graduate and undergraduate students selected through audition from the entire university student body, Chamber Singers is the premiere vocal ensemble at the University of South Dakota. Known to critics for “creating a choral concert of stunning beauty and musical understanding,” its repertoire, which is primarily a cappella, includes music from the Renaissance to the present in a wide variety of styles.
Notes
Located in Vermillion SD near the banks of the Missouri River, the University of South Dakota is the state’s flagship liberal arts institution and an academic and research leader in the region since 1862. USD is home to the state’s only law and medical schools as well as the Beacom School of Business and the only College of Fine Arts in the region. USD offers more than 200 undergraduate degrees and has the state’s largest graduate school offering over 75 master’s and doctoral programs. USD matches commitment to academic excellence with the personal attention and welcoming atmosphere necessary for students to succeed. Both U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review rank USD among the nation’s best colleges.
The Department of Music at USD seeks to provide students with the knowledge and skills to become professional musicians—performers, educators, scholars, and lifelong learners. Students receive opportunities for musical development, leadership growth, and personal enrichment through mentored performances, classroom study, individual instruction, and guided research. Dedicated and passionate faculty members provide a high quality choral experience grounded in the belief that students must be encouraged and inspired to develop as singers, musicians, and individuals. USD choral ensembles have won numerous national awards and are highly regarded in the state and region, appearing at conventions, touring annually, and presenting concerts both on and off campus. For more information please visit: www.usd.edu/music.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA CHAMBER SINGERS under the direction of DR. DAVID HOLDHUSEN proudly presents LUX AETERNA, a new album of choral works designed to inspire listeners through choral artistry and the passionate interpretation of the music. As its title suggests, this collection employs the power of music to bring light into the lives of listeners. In this world of challenge and personal struggle, we as people often despair of ever finding comfort, hope, and inspiration. The musical performances in LUX AETERNA are a vehicle to evoke feelings and thoughts in order to provide light in times of darkness. Beautifully performed by the elite group of vocalists carefully selected from the university’s student body, the album evokes a variety of musical genres, vocal colors, and historical styles, from Renaissance motets to spirituals and folk songs from around the world, taking listeners on a spiritual journey through life’s tribulations to redemption and ultimately to finding a sense of peace, of light, and of joy. LUX AETERNA is a meditation on universal human themes that listeners will find richly meaningful. The USD Chamber Singers invite you to open your heart and experience the power of this music and join us as we bask in the glow of eternal light.
