Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present the Ouachita Singers and Women’s Chorus in concert on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Art Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

 

The Ouachita Singers’ program will include "Exsultate Justi" by Thomas Juneau, "A Red, Red, Rose" by James Mulholland, "I Will Lift Mine Eyes" by Jake Runestad, "Sing a Mighty Song" by Daniel Gawthrop, John Rutter’s arrangement of "Be Thou My Vision" and "I'm Gonna Sing" by Robert Hunter. The 47-voice choir is directed by David Stanley, instructor of music.

“With Dr. Gary Gerber on sabbatical this semester, I have the privilege of directing this ensemble in his absence for this performance,” said Stanley. “As a Ouachita Singers alumnus, this is especially thrilling for me.”

Over the past semester, the Ouachita Singers spent hours preparing for their performance several weeks ago at the American Choral Directors Association convention.

“It was a very prestigious honor for the group to be selected by audition to present a concert at the convention,” explained Stanley. The campus concert on April 15 will feature songs from their convention concert as well as a few new pieces.

The Women’s Chorus, composed of 30 students, will perform “Psalm 23” by Randall Stroope, Roger Emerson’s arrangement of “Joyful, Joyful,” Glenn Koponen’s arrangement of “Zion’s Walls,” “Alleluia” by Paul Basler and “Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre. Dr. Becky Morrison, assistant professor of music, directs the choir.

Dr. Heather Thayer, assistant professor of music, will be featured on the French horn for Basler’s “Alleluia.”

“This is a particularly difficult piece,” Morrison noted, “but the girls have met the challenge, and their sound is amazing.”

For more information, contact the School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

By McKenzie Cranford