Poulenc a cappella: Williams Chamber Choir

Griffin 3 - Recognized for its superb acoustics, its architectural beauty and its rich college history.

Brad Wells, director
Matt Allen '08, student conductor

Francis Poulenc was a master of the miniature. The Chamber Choir traverses much of Poulenc's a cappella choral music -- primarily settings of groups of short poems.  Part sacred and part profane, the concert features Poulenc’s a cappella choral music, including his darkly intense Penitential Motets, as well as sparkling settings of Paul Eluard’s surrealist poetry in Un soir de neige and Sept Chansons. Between each choral set members of the Williams Symphonic Winds will perform Poulenc's Sonata for Two Clarinets, opus 7 and his Sonata for Horn, Trumpet and Trombone, opus 33.

Williams College has long had a fine tradition of music performance in its choral ensembles.  Brad Wells, in his ninth year as Director of Vocal Activities, has helped that tradition flourish. The choral program has much to offer students interested in singing, with a number of performances throughout the year, a wide range of repertoire, recordings and tours.

The season usually includes one major concert on campus each semester. Additionally, the group regularly participates in choral festivals and performs around the community at a variety of events at the Clark Art Museum, the Williams College Museum of Art, the annual Lessons and Carols service in Thompson Chapel.