Fall Choral Concert Presents Program of Music in the Spiritual Tradition
10/8/12 ASHLAND, Ohio - Ashland University’s Fall Choral Concert presents a program of music in the spiritual tradition including mostly, but not exclusively, Christian texts by composers from several centuries in various musical styles. The concert will feature three University vocal ensembles including the Ashland University Choir, Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland University Women’s Chorus on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. at the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The performance is free and open to the public.
Conducted by Dr. Rowland Blackley, professor of music and director of Choral Activities, and accompanied by University organist Dr. Timothy Guenther, the Ashland Area Chorus will present two major oratorio choruses by George Frideric Handel including “Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound” from Samson, and “Sing Unto God” from Judas Maccabeaus, along with John Rutter's “Open Thou Mine Eyes.”
Dr. Blackley also will conduct the Ashland University Choir performing Jacques Arcadelt's "Ave Maria" from the Italian Renaissance period, two settings of the famous poem “I Am the Rose of Sharon” from the Biblical Song of Songs by the early American composer William Billings and contemporary Swiss composer Ivo Antognini, and "The Eyes of All" by 20th century American composer Jean Berger. The University Choir also will sing "True Light," a gospel-style piece by Keith Hampton, with piano accompaniment by Bret Cowden, senior vocal performance major from Paris, Ohio; and "My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord” by Moses Hogan, the greatest composer and arranger of African-American spirituals in the latter part of the 20th century.
The Ashland University Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Marla Butke, associate professor and coordinator of music education, will perform two Native American pieces and sacred music by Antonio Caldera, Eleanor Daley and John Rutter with Holly Allan as accompanist. The Native American songs arranged by Barbara Sletto will feature Alex VanScoy on recorder for "Ancient Mother," and Stephen Morsher on percussion for "The Earth Is Our Mother." The sacred pieces will include Nancy Grundahl's arrangement of Caldera's "Laudamus Te," Daley's "The Cloths of Heaven," Rutter's "A Clare Benediction," and Valerie Shields arrangement of E. Amiran's "Mayim, Mayim" with Don Haught on flute.
For more information about the Fall Choral Concert or for a fall schedule of music department events, visit www.ashland.edu/music or contact Tricia Applegate, coordinator of performing arts publicity and events, at 419-289-5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu.
Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.
