The Nov. 28 choir concert, “The Poet Sings,” featured songs, poetry, four choirs, two student a capella groups, and an emergency pianist change.

The concert also featured six languages: German, English, Latin, Malaysian, Spanish, and Lakota. In order to prepare for the lullaby, Chaz Wagner, a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe “shared how to teach and perform the traditional melodies,” according to the
concert program. Dr. Thomas Wyatt “[facilitated] conversation with Dakota artists, and Rueben Kitto Stately of the Red Lake Nation and the Santee Sioux Nation “joined us in class to share music, stories, and perspectives in engaging with Native music.”

The lullaby, Chanté Wasté Hokšila will be performed once again by the A Capella choir and the Chamber Orchestra at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Convention on Feb. 17, “the equivalent of making it to state as a music ensemble,” according to the program. From poems such as “Stars” by Sara Teasdale to songs from movies such as “Go the Distance” from Disney’s “Hercules” to “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child, the concert featured incredible art.