The early spring joint choir concert at Central Methodist University is fast approaching. This Sunday, March 4, the Conservatory Singers and the Chorale will present a lively program at 5 p.m. in Linn Memorial Church on the campus of CMU in Fayette.
All are welcome. There is no cost.
The Chorale is conducted by Dr. Claude Westfall, associate professor of music and director of choral activities, and the Conservatory Singers is conducted by Dr. Laura Wiebe, assistant professor of music. The choirs will be accompanied by Dr. Melissa Loehnig Simons, CMU assistant professor of music, and Janet O’Neill, collaborative pianist. Entwined between musical pieces will be poetry read by Dr. Joe Geist, CMU English professor emeritus.
The Conservatory Singers’ repertoire will showcase “Songs of Exuberance and Joy,” including “Adorable flujo” from Cantos Alegres by Paul Basler, with senior Susan Bishop (music education major from Fayette) on horn; “I Heard a Great Voice” by Jacob Kimball;
the American folk song “Bile Them Cabbage Down,” arranged by Mack Wilberg and accompanied by Zachary Kierstead (junior music major from Kirkwood) on piano and sophomore Bryan Berliner (music education major from Hermann) and sophomore Quiz Falls (music education major from Marshall) as soloists;
“I Want to Die While You Love Me,” by Rosephanye Powell and performed by the women of the Conservatory Singers; “Sansa Kroma,” an African Game Song arranged by Emily Crocker, performed by the men of the Conservatory Singers with percussion by Chance Roberts (sophomore physical education major from Sturgeon) and Keaton Denney (sophomore music education major from Cole Camp);
“Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit,” a traditional spiritual arranged by Rollo Dilworth; and “Strength to Carry On” by Barbara Colson and arranged by CMU Professor Laura Wiebe.
The repertoire presented by the Chorale will include “Draw up the Water from the Well” by James E. Clemens; “Memento Creatoris tui” by Michael Waldenby, based on Ecclesiastes 12: 1-7; “Arise, My Love” by Stephen Paulus; “The Lord is My Shepherd” by John Rutter, with junior Adam Christal (music education major from Boonville) on clarinet; “It is Well with my Soul,” arranged by Jamey Ray; and “Elijah Rock”by Moses Hogan.