Moorpark College Vocal Ensemble and Concert Choir joined together for an evening of singing during their Fall Choral Concert on Sunday, Nov. 2.

The Performing Arts Center was packed Sunday evening as the choir delivered a spectacular hourlong performance. The songs ranged from “A Red, Red, Rose” by James Mulholland to a German cover of “Vier Quartet, Op. 92” by Johannes Brahms.

Moorpark College President Bernard Luskin was first to come on stage to introduce Choral Conductor Brandon Elliott. This was Elliott’s first semester teaching on campus.

“It was incredibly rewarding to conduct my first performance at Moorpark College,” said Elliott. “It just felt like home.”

The night opened with both choirs, the Ensemble and the Concert Choir, performing a powerful take on a Hungarian folksong titled “Tambur” by Lajos Barjos. The Concert Choir then left the stage and the Vocal Ensemble took over for the first half of the show.

Andres Winokur, member of the Vocal Ensemble, was pleased with the overall show.

“I thought it went well,” said Winokur. “It was my first time seeing the Concert Choir and I thought they did great.”

The Vocal Ensemble sang several songs including an impressive four-part piece in German titled “Vier Quartet, Op. 92.” The Ensemble finished their last section of the Quartet then headed off stage as the Concert Choir took their place on the risers to carry out the last half of the show. The Ensemble sang the Spanish song “Esto Les Digo” by Kinley Lange a capella without Elliott conducting. Vocalist Kristen Jones stepped out for a beautiful solo that left the crowd in awe.

The Concert Choir continued through songs “If Music Be the Food of Love” by David Dickau, “Come To Me, My Love” by Norman Dello Joio, and a three-part piece by Emma Lou Diemer.

Matt Friedman, a Simi Valley resident whom had never attended a choir concert, was surprised at the performance.

“[They] performed beautifully,” said Friedman. “Some points I thought ‘wow’ because I didn’t expect it to be so good.”

Both choirs returned to the stage to close out the night with a hair-raising version of “Saints Bound for Heaven” by Alice Parker. The closing number raised the audience to a standing ovation.

The incredible harmony of the students proved that the choir program is nothing to be taken lightly.

“The Moorpark College choirs are a true living metaphor for an exemplary community: drawing upon a variety of students from different musical backgrounds, majors, personalities, identities, and beliefs to create an art more powerful than any one person can create alone,” said Elliott.