A Night of Motion: Samo Choir’s ‘Motus Perpetuus’
On Dec. 13, 2024, the Samo choir delivered a crowd of over 1,000 the cascading melodies of “Motus Perpetuus” for the 18th year running. Translated as “Perpetual Motion” in English, this annual winter concert tradition presents a beautifully unique listening journey. The performers continue to move throughout the performance, making their way across each walkway, up to the mezzanine and even out onto the foyer in an effort to provide a surround sound experience. While a multitude of pieces are performed, it can be seen as more of a compilation; the audience is asked to hold their applause until the final song concludes, providing the breathing space for each moment to ebb and flow into the next. In preparation for the show, Catherine Chun (’25) explained what makes Motus such a gratifying experience.
“Motus is pretty special since, in my opinion, it’s the first ‘real’ concert that I get to have with the choir,” Chun said. “Every year, the ensembles change due to promotions and graduating seniors and the like, so you don’t really know how your group is going to sound when it all comes together. I’m looking forward to making new music, and for motus to kind of set the scene for it.”
As soon as the lights dimmed for the first time it was clear that the choristers had settled into their new ensembles. The show opened with charming performances from Samo’s student-led groups, Barbershop, Beautyshop, Valkyries and Testosterones before transitioning into the official program. As soon as Motus began, the mood shifted and remained consistently hypnotic until the final applause. Purple, blue and yellow lights danced across the venue, illuminating the various sections of stage and walkway that were occupied by the ensembles. For songs such as “How Can I Keep From Singing?” by Gwenyth Walker, Samohi Chorale was joined by various middle school ensembles from JAMS, Lincoln and SMASH; other pieces featured guest musicians, including Gregory Gee (’25) on Cello, Marco Sung (’25) on Trumpet, Charlotte Moss (’25) on French horn, and many more talented Samo students. This wide range of instruments provided the backbone for a night with a truly diverse spectrum of music. Madrigals ensemble member Alma Street (’25) reflects on how their setlist was brought to life on Friday night.
“I didn’t like our pieces with other instruments very much until I actually heard them with the instruments - It really brought the pieces together,” Street said. “My favorite piece that we performed was ‘Divi Sirmi Kumeliņi’ and it really came together once we heard it with the drum. While rehearsing it we always just had to wait in silence until our next entrance so it was cool to hear it filled in finally.”
Samo Chamber Singers performing "Tuttarana" at the 18th annual "Motus Perpetuus" in Barnum Hall on Dec. 13, 2024
“Divi Sirmi Kumeliņi,” a traditional Latvian piece, defined the night better than any other song; laced with intense percussive grooves and an odd time signature that alternated between 7/4, 3/4 and 4/4, the track was a perfect example of the creativity and cultural appreciation on display. Throughout the night, songs were played that represented the likes of Ireland, France, and more– as well as a variety of different religions.
By the end of the program's concluding song “No Time,” the audience around me was struggling to hold back their applause. The show came to an official close after former Santa Monica mayor Phil Brock conducted the Samo Hymn of Praise with all choir students and alumni on stage. Street was proud for this to have been her last ever Motus Perpetuus.
“I had so much fun at the concert and it was very special for me as a senior because it was my last winter concert,” Street said. “There’s always stress before the concert because we don’t get to run through the whole show with instruments and placements until the night before, but it always works out and comes together.”