By PIERRE KENYON, The Pueblo Chieftain

My apologies to all, especially the participants in the concert Saturday afternoon by the Pueblo Children’s Chorale at Hoag Hall on the campus of Colorado State University-Pueblo.

I was distracted and indisposed, and did not attend. But the Pueblo Children’s Chorale deserves recognition for its performance. Therefore, I asked individuals who were there and whose musical knowledge I respect to comment.

And, wondrous to say, I was able to hear the entire performance, provided by a musical friend.

This concert was notable for being the chorale's 15th anniversary, the final program directed by Dr. Jennifer Shadle-Peters, and the introduction of the new director, Brook Mead.

Kenneth Butcher, a former director, composed a piece especially for the occasion. And there were performances by several alumni.

The concert began with  “Alleluia” followed by “Kyrie” and “Gloria Canon,” works that called for a lot of preparation, including memorization by the

singers and the director. The results were impressive, especially in the dynamics of the Kyrie piece.

Four folk and spiritual songs were performed quite well, followed by some jazz pieces, notably “Blue Skies,” directed by Mead, which brought enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The old, popular tune, “Swinging on a Star,” was performed with a considerable verve and good diction, the young singers obviously enjoying themselves.

I asked a prominent musician and friend to comment on “Pueblo Children’s Chorale Celebration,” Butcher’s composition. She responded: “Wonderful words, singable melody and upbeat accompaniment, plus good moves; Butcher’s direction was precise, and it was a thrill to watch the chorale respond to it, and calling Butcher Pueblo’s Pied Piper.”

Altogether, a pleasing afternoon of music by young singers, delighting a sizeable audience of families and friends.