Project Grant

At the formal concert and five outreach activities, the audience members experienced a valuable and engaging live performance of vocal chamber music of the highest quality, performed by the German vocal quintet Calmus. In this program the theme "the Sound of Love" was showcased in an entertaining international mixture of selections. Calmus sang about both the happy and the sorrowful sides of love--in four languages, spanning four centuries and from six countries: expressive Italian madrigals by Gesualdo; artsongs from the English and Irish late Romantic period; French Impressionist works; German contemporary classical music and German Jazz; and closing with American pop arrangements. The experiences exceeded audience member expectations. At outreach activities, students and senior citizens heard, learned from, and met this entertaining and skilled ensemble. The five singers were highly-skilled performers. At all venues, Calmus did a marvelous job of singing and speaking about their repertoire, the composer's lives, and stories about the pieces they sang, and their life as performers. Portions of the Minnesota Public Radio recording of the concert will most likely be aired at a later time, and that will generate additional public awareness and add a state-wide audience for the Chamber Music Society and the performers. We used written surveys, teacher and student feedback, audience data and board member discussions to evaluate and measure the activities.