This (Anti)Valentine’s Concert Is Sure to Mend Any Broken Heart

Lewis & Clark’s (Anti)Valentine’s Concert, produced by the music department, is a high-energy event that sells out fast. Now in its 17th year, the event was created by Katherine FitzGibbon, director of choral activities and professor of music. She jokes that her tagline for the event is “Music for Lovers and Haters.” The vibe of the show is “kind of raucous,” she says, almost like “you’re going to a funny rock concert.”

The origins of the concert date back to FitzGibbon’s earliest days at Lewis & Clark. She felt like a concert was needed to kick-start spring semester. “Plus, there are so many great vocalists on campus,” she says. “It’s exciting to show off the many styles you can hear from this very talented vocal music community!”

The (Anti)Valentine’s Concert involves choral groups from all over campus. This year, attendees will hear music by a cappella group Kith & Kin and mixed choir Cappella Nova, among others. They will perform songs made famous by Chappel Roan, Gotye, Joan Jett, and Linda Ronstadt. “It’s been fun to lean into songs of unrequited love, revenge, and independence,” says FitzGibbon.

Last year’s songs included pieces from the movie Barbie. One group’s hilarious rendition of “I’m Just Ken” received a standing ovation. The event even survived the pandemic years. In February 2021, the music department put on a virtual concert where choir singers recorded themselves performing an arrangement of “The Nearness of You.”

Kate Wade BA ’26, a member of Cappella Nova, says that the (Anti)Valentine’s Concert is a great introduction to the choir experience. “It’s very fun, silly, and enjoyable,” says Wade. “The songs are really cool to learn, especially in a community like this.”

Lucca Gleason-Geise BA ’27, another member of the Cappella Nova choir, says they’re looking forward to the audience’s reaction to the Chappel Roan songs.

FitzGibbon is especially excited for Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good,” which she dubs a “funky rock banger from the ’70s.” Although Ronstadt’s version of the song hit No. 1 in 1975, FitzGibbon says “it sounds like something that could top the charts today.” She adds, “I think everyone’s had the experience of realizing a person they were interested in turned out to be no good. This song turns that idea around with the singer realizing they haven’t always been so good either!”

All of the students involved in this year’s (Anti)Valentine’s production have been working hard to bring this show to life. Rehearsals are upbeat and fun, with constructive criticism, tons of room for questions, and smiles all around.

“This concert is one big happy rush of catharsis and humor,” says FitzGibbon. “It takes about an hour at the most, and the audience won’t regret coming out on a Wednesday night for this adrenaline boost!”

The (Anti)Valentine’s Concert will be held on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. Tickets for the performance are available for purchase online now.

Music