University Singers to Premiere Three New Compositions
JONESBORO – Three new compositions will be premiered when the Department of Music at Arkansas State presents the University Singers in a fall concert on Monday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Fowler Center’s Riceland Hall.
The program will include compositions and arrangements by faculty members and a student. The University Community Choir and Delta Vox Jazz also will be performing. This program is free and open to the public.
The University Men’s and Women’s groups are under the direction of Cherie Collins, with Brian Henkelmann as collaborative pianist. The women will open their portion of the program with “Jubilate Deo” by Michael Braz, followed by Moira Smiley’s “The Little Road.” They also will sing “Cúnnla” by Michael McGlynn and “Schlof Main Kind” by Allan Naplan. The women will close with an original composition, “Peace” by A-State student Aaron Fisher.
The University Men will take the stage and open with “O Come Let Us Sing Unto the Lord” by Emma Lou Diemer and ”One Last Song” by Michael McGlynn. Student director Hal Niederbrach will conduct the third selection, “Brightest and Best” by Shawn Kirchner.
Henkelmann composed a beautiful melody on a shaker text, “What Will Bring the Heavens Nearer?” It will feature two new string faculty members, Chi Young Song and Daniel Strawser.
Dr. Dale Miller will then conduct the rousing spiritual “Ain’t Got Time to Die,” arranged By Stacey Gibbs. This portion of the program will end with another original Fisher composition, “Worst Thing She Could Say.” It will be conducted by student director Greg Self.
Delta Vox Jazz Choir will perform two selections. They will sing the ASU Alma Mater, arranged by Dr. Tom O’Connor and Dr. Kyle Chandler. They also will perform “Run To You” by Pentatonix and adapted for Delta Vox. Chandler is the director of this group.
The Community Choir, directed by Miller, will perform their program beginning with “The Rocky Road to Dublin” by Bradley. They also will sing “I Got a Hog and a Pig” by Wykoff, “Derry Air (Danny Boy)” by Mooney, “Be Thou My Vision” by Sanders, and “Accentuate the Positive” arranged by Page. They will conclude the program with performances of “Way Over in Beulah Land” by Stacey Gibbs and “Midnight” by McGlynn, which will be directed by graduate conductor Daniel Comeaux.
For more information about this concert or any other A-State music event, one may contact the Music Department at (870) 972-2094.
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