Dean’s Corner: December 2024

Dear Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends,

It’s December, that time of year when all the effort and work that students have put into their music ensembles gets presented to grateful audiences.

One of the best parts of my job is having the opportunity and the privilege of attending these performances. In some cases, I even get to watch rehearsals and experience what all is involved in bringing the music to life.

So, I thought I would devote this month’s column to a quick overview of some Department of Performing Arts highlights from the last few weeks.

Cantorei

First was what has become something of a tradition since I started in 2020: each semester, I have visited Cantorei during one of their scheduled class periods for a sneak peek at the repertoire they are preparing. Led by their masterful director, Anthony Bernarducci, Cantorei is Clemson’s premier vocal ensemble. And they never fail to inspire with their soaring soprano and deep resonant bass voices. Dr. Bernaducci manages to tease out the full range, from exacting rhythms to extended moments of pure sonic tranquility. Just remarkable.

CU Symphony Orchestra

Next, I got to visit CU Symphony Orchestra under its new conductor, Kim Souther, rehearsing an enormously ambitious program for their upcoming concert, which also featured the Grammy-winning Tabla player, Sandeep Das. The Tabla, a traditional instrument from India, is a set of two drums that are played using bare hands. On the day of his performance, Sandeep also gave a midday talk to students, sharing his lifetime experiences, growing up in India and ending up performing with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma and at venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall.

Later that same day, Das performed a Tabla concerto with the CU Symphony Orchestra in the Brooks Center. He also introduced the spellbound audience to the Tabla with an illustrated lecture that included him improvising complex rhythms and an unbelievably wide range of sonorities and timbres which he somehow achieved with his bare hands. This was one great example of how our students get to “meet the world” right here in Clemson, South Carolina.

Sounds of the Season

To top things off, last weekend was the “Sounds of the Season” gala concert: the annual showcase for the singing talent at Clemson. Anthony Bernarducci and his team of choral conductors led over 200 students in a rousing and moving concert of Christmas favorites and new repertoire to a packed audience at the Brooks Center, beautifully decorated for the Season and sporting its brand new upgraded and expanded restrooms.

All the singing groups performed: CU Singers, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, TakeNote, Tigeroar, individual voice students, and of course Cantorei. The four Christmas carols were performed by all choirs combined with the audience joining in. It was joyous, and particularly memorable was Alana Yarborough’s performance of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” Perfection! And, of course, Cantorei, from haunting pianissimos to rhythmically and harmonically dynamic virtuosity. Thrilling! But nothing has quite the impact of the way Dr. Bernarducci choreographs and performs “Away in a Manger.” By now, I know it’s coming, but it gets me every single time. Words fail me.

Go Tigers!

Nicholas Vazsonyi, Dean

College of Arts and Humanities

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