For America’s semiquincentennial birthday coming up, two local Twin Ports Choirs came together. Collaborating and sharing music in Thorpe Langley Auditorium, “American Voices: Celebrating 250 Years of American Choral Music” occurred on March 19. The event featured UW-Superior’s Choir Program, along with Lake Superior College’s (LSC) Concert Choir.
Combined concert choirs dressed in black. Photo by Emily Tews on March 19, 2026 in Thorpe Langley Auditorium.
Both collaborating choir directors shared how much the event was truly a good time for everyone involved. Dr. Micheal Fuchs, UW-Superior’s director of choral activities, said that “it was just so much fun, you know?” Additionally, LSC’s choir director Cal Metts said that “it was an honor and a thrill…it was wonderful to be sort of welcomed into a more established chorale tradition here at UWS and be welcomed so beautifully.”
Calland Metts, director of Lake Superior College Concert Choir. Photo by Emily Tews on March 19, 2026 in Thorpe Langley Auditorium.
“It was just so much fun seeing it all come together tonight, and having LSC here” Fuchs said. “The energy and sharing our music with more people is just a joy.” Furthermore, Fuchs said he “was just thrilled with the quality throughout.”
Metts thought the event and its music choices were important for Americans celebrating their country’s history. “It’s important to look at all the selections that were made for tonight and to celebrate American choral music, but also the tricky parts of our American history that can be experienced and shared through music,” Metts said. “And Dr. Fuchs is a master at programming very important pieces that need to be heard as we tell our story and our history of this country through music.”
