By Amanda Nettles
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
The University of Central Arkansas University Chorus will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 in the Snow Fine Arts Center recital hall.
“The fall recital is going to be a bit unique in some ways,” said Dr. Sheri Cook-Cunningham, director of the University Chorus. “For the first part of the program, we are performing different settings of Psalm 99. The selections are either in English or Latin. We will be performing ‘Jubilate Deo’ by Michael Praetorius, ‘Jubilate Deo’ by Orlando di Lasso, ‘Exsultate, Jubilate Deo’ by Ruth Morris Gray, ‘Jubilate Deo’ by W.A. Mozart and ‘Serve the Lord with Gladness’ by Rollo Dilworth.
“At the conclusion of each song, audience members will be asked to share their comments electronically. It’s something I’ve not done before, but I am trying to create a relaxed atmosphere that involves audience participation.”
Cunningham said the second part of the program would combine the talents of University Chorus with the VOCA (Voices of Central Arkansas) High School Choir, which is part of the UCA Community School of Music. The choirs will perform five pieces together, including a new number by Eric Whitacre, titled “Glow.” The final piece is “Babethandaza,” a South African folk song arranged by Daniel Hughes.
The concert will feature graduate conductors Jerron Liddell and Teddy Nguyen, student conductor Danielle Bridges and accompanist Betty Cohen.
“The makeup of University Chorus is unique in that the majority of the singers are not voice majors, and many students are not music majors,” Cook-Cunningham said. “I feel that this year’s choir is particularly strong, and I am happy that this ensemble provides an opportunity for anyone who enjoys singing.”
For more information contact Cook-Cunningham at 501-450-5774 or scookcunningham@uca.edu.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Communication, Mass Communication and Theatre, Music and Writing. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call 501-450-3293.
