Choral works on tap at PJC concert Tuesday evening
Published or Revised October 21, 2011
Contemporary and traditional choral works will by offered by Paris Junior College chorale and chamber music students at a free concert Tuesday evening the Shaw Recital Hall in the Mayer Music Building at 7:30 p.m. The works feature mostly American composers in a showcase of student talent.
The Paris Junior College Chorale and Chamber Singers will offer a combination of contemporary and traditional choral works, by predominately American composers, at a concert on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Shaw Recital Hall located in the Mayer Music Building on the Paris campus.
"This free concert will provide an evening of wonderful choral music," said Director of Choirs and Music Instructor Philip Briggs. "We'll be able to demonstrate the talent of our students and feature both those majoring in the choral program and non-majors. There are a wide variety of styles featured in the program."
PJC's Chorale will perform "Set Me As A Seal" from the "Song of Solomon." Composed by Richard Nance, associate director of choral activities at Pacific Lutheran University, the song will also feature North Lamar High School's Grace Myrick performing on the French horn. Other works will include "O Music," written by David L. Brunner from the words of Kahlil Gibran; "Walk Him Up the Stairs" from the Broadway musical "Purlie"; "Soon-ah Will be Done" by William L. Dawson from the Tuskegee Choir series; and "Lambscapes," a takeoff on "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
"'Lambscapes' will be fun," said Briggs. "It's done three ways: as a Gregorian chant, a take on Handel and a Romantic art song."
The Chamber Singers will perform "Les Chansons des Roses" by Morten Lauridsen, which is based on the poem "Dirait-on."
"We are indebted to PJC Spanish instructor Kelli Ebel for helping us with the French pronunciation," Briggs said.
Other works will include "Ubi Caritas" by Maurice Druflé; "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind" from Shakespeare's "As You Like It" by John Rutter; and "Let Everything That Hath Breath," a gospel song composed by Jeffrey L. Ames.
The Ames song was well received at a preview performance at the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening at the Civic Center. It will also be a featured anthem for the 2012 Two-Year College All-State Choir.
"There will be something for everyone to enjoy," Briggs added, "I hope everyone will come out and enjoy the work of our talented students."
Music Department students also will be featured at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Veteran's Memorial Service, and the Candlelight Christmas program Dec. 5-6 at 7:30 p.m. Both events will be in the DeShong Chapel on the Paris campus.
