The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse announces an evening of celebration and remembrance as the UWL Choral Union presents their fall concert titled “Light Eternal,” dedicated to the memory of longtime Choral Union member Nancy Matchett. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday November 23 at the First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse. The concert features three pieces: Funeral Ikos by John Tavener; Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen; and How Can I Keep from Singing On by Nancy Matchett. Advance reservations can be made online until November 22 at https://www.uwlax.edu/foundation/connect/events/choral-union-concert/.

Matchett, who passed away August 10, moved to La Crosse in 1982. She taught first grade at Southern Bluffs Elementary School for many years, and then from 2004 until her retirement in 2010, served as principal at Hamilton Elementary School. Music was always a focal point of Matchett’s life, starting in early childhood. In the 1980s, Nancy was the Music Director at English Lutheran Church and, in that capacity, started a handbell Choir and served as Director of the Senior ELC Choir. At various points in her life, Nancy was an elementary school music teacher, adult choir director, piano accompanist, and faithful singer in various choirs and ensembles, particularly UWL Choral Union. 

Former Choral Union conductor Paul Rusterholz said that every choir should be fortunate enough to have someone like Nancy Matchett. “She always provided confident vocal leadership in the soprano section. She played the piano for soprano sectional rehearsals. She prepared and auditioned for soprano solos, and encouraged others to audition, too. She undertook to learn and perform some of the most challenging solos, and she sang them beautifully. She had high musical expectations for herself and for her church choir, and she was persistently cheerful.”

The concert’s selection of choral works each offer a distinct reflection on themes of light, solace, and resilience. Funeral Ikos by Sir John Tavener, with text derived from the Eastern Orthodox funeral service, invites listeners into a world of reverence and calm through its chant-inspired lines and rich harmonies that contemplate the soul's journey beyond. In Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen, audiences will experience a lush and luminous composition that brings light and hope to the fore, with Lauridsen’s characteristic use of shimmering chords and poignant melodic lines expressing the eternal light that transcends earthly sorrow. Finally, How Can I Keep from Singing On by Nancy Matchett is a modern, uplifting take on the classic hymn, weaving elements of folk and contemporary choral textures to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit. Together, these pieces create a profound and moving exploration of life's universal themes.

Admission to the performance is available through suggested donations of $20 for adults and $10 for seniors, while students are warmly welcomed free of charge. Advance reservations can be made online until November 22 at https://www.uwlax.edu/foundation/connect/events/choral-union-concert/.

Cash and check donations will be accepted at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the performance.

The UWL Choral Union, a community-based choir proudly sponsored by the UWL Music Department, brings together singers from diverse backgrounds, including UWL staff, alumni, and students. With a repertoire encompassing monumental works such as Mozart's Requiem, Rutter's Gloria, Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms, and Handel's Dixit Dominus, the ensemble boasts over 80 members, reflecting a rich tapestry of choral experience and passion for musical excellence.

HOW TO ATTEND

What: UWL Choral Union, “Light Eternal”
When: November 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601
Admission: Suggested donation: $20 for adults, free for students.
More Info / Accommodations: 608.785.8409 or dbashaw@uwlax.edu