Singing music rarely performed by choral ensembles in the United States, DePaul University’s University Singers and A Cappella Choir will present an evening of song from the Republic of Georgia on Thursday, March 1, in the DePaul Concert Hall, 800 West Belden Ave., Chicago. Concert time is 8:00 p.m. and admission to the public is free.

The personal study of Clayton Parr, director of choral activities at DePaul, inspired this particular program. Last year, Parr, working as a Fulbright scholar in Tbilisi, researched and edited choral scores of several 20th century Georgian composers. The fruits of his labor are showcased in this program.

According to Parr, “the Georgians have synthesized their unique folk heritage with Western choral influences in a wonderful variety of ways.” He notes that modern Georgian composers have integrated differing trends into their own musical culture during one of the most tumultuous chapters in the country’s history. Over the past century, Georgia endured strict censorship until, with collapse of the Soviet Union, the country declared itself an independent republic in 1991.

Parr established the University Singers in 2000. With its competitive admission process, most of the University Singers are voice majors. Many of its alumni have gone on to join professional organizations including the Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Grant Park Festival Chorus, and to perform on opera stages in major music centers throughout the country.

With a roster of 42 members, the University Singers will perform eight choral works and excerpts from the popular national early twentieth-century opera, Abesalom and Eteri. The ensemble will be accompanied by pianist David Stech.

Following intermission, DePaul A Cappella will take center stage, performing a variety of Georgian folk tunes including work songs, table songs, rituals, lamentations, and comic songs—all in their original settings. The 14-member ensemble will be partnered by guest artist and Georgian music scholar, Carl Linich, who will accompany the chorus on two indigenous string instruments, the chonguri and the chunir.

DePaul A Cappella, also created by Parr, began as an elective for students wanting to explore vocal repertoire for a small group. Together they have sung music ranging from madrigals and Renaissance sacred music, to world music and jazz. This summer, DePaul A Cappella returns to Europe for appearances at the Eisteddfod Competition in Wales, and the International Federation for Choral Music in Tallinn, Estonia. Previously the ensemble participated in the Vienna International Advent Festival in 2004. Additionally, DePaul A Cappella has been invited to sing Georgian music at the College Music Society conference on March 3 at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.