U of New Mexico choir celebrates century

By Alexandra Swanberg

 

ALBUQUERQUE — A good pair of lungs is required to sing for a century, and the UNM Choral program has 400 of them.

 

It started in 1910 with 26 men and women and grew to 400 members. Initially, so few people signed up that the program included community members, professors and students.

 

Now a professional choral conductor, Andrew Megill was a UNM choir member in the late 80s. He said the choir’s centennial is a noteworthy accomplishment.

 

“It’s worth celebrating anything at 100 years old that has brought so much beauty into the world,” he said.

 

Bradley Ellingboe, director of choral activities for 25 years, said he’s read about the history of music and found that it’s been around since the beginning of time.

 

“Why would I make music myself when I can go on iTunes and download the very best people?” he said. “Because it’s really part of being a human being. … It doesn’t really matter how good you are. You doing it for yourself is just a way of mixing in society. It’s like speaking to people.”

 

Ildy Rolfs, a 28-year member of the University chorus, said she learns more about technique at every rehearsal, and she takes in the historical context of each piece they perform.

 

“The music and the way it’s composed and performed is indicative of the way life was back then,” she said. “In my mind, I always go back to that time frame. … You get to relive what (composers) lived.”