Calling all former PJC music students

Published or Revised October 22, 2014

The opportunity to sing with an Alumni Reunion Choir is a big part of Paris Junior College’s 90th Homecoming, and PJC is inviting former music students to come back and join in the evening’s performance at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 in the Ray Karrer Theater. “This should be a great performance,” said PJC Director of Choirs Philip Briggs. “We have some special arrangements planned that will be a lot of fun for participants. We’re looking forward to seeing former students and we’ll be joined by retired PJC music instructor Pat Fowzer who will participate with the program.” Dr. Michael McFrazier, who will have been honored with a PJC Distinguished Alumni Award earlier in the day, will perform selections from spirituals, the Porgy & Bess opera, show tunes and love or art songs. He will perform with his accompanist Dr. Danny R. Kelley, who serves as Dean of the Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences. Kelly received his undergraduate degree in music from Prairie View A&M University where he studied with the late Connally S. Garrett. He received both the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Kelley has performed extensively throughout the United States and several venues in the Caribbean and Europe to critical acclaim. For the full alumni choir, songs tentatively planned include “Once Upon a Dream” from Jekyll and Hyde, arranged by John Leavitt, “Long Time Ago” by Aaron Copland, “Bright Mansions,” arranged by K. Lee Scott with a solo by Dr. McFrazier, “Our Song Will Live On,” by David Lantz, and “Prayer of St. Frances” arranged by Allen Pote, also with a solo by Dr. McFrazier. “If you’ve missed being on the boards and performing to an audience,” said Derald Bulls, PJC Institutional Advancement/Alumni Affairs Director, “this is your opportunity. But we do need to get some practice in, so please call Mr. Briggs and sign up!” To be a part of the concert and perform, contact Philip Briggs at 903-782-0343 or pbriggs@parisjc.edu. For tickets contact Derald Bulls at 903-782-0276 or dbulls@parisjc.edu.