ISSUED: 21 March 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Shepherd University Chamber Singers and Camerata, under the direction of Dr. Steven Grives, visiting assistant professor and choral director, will present “A World of Music” on Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater.
In addition to traditional choral pieces on texts by poets William Blake, Sarah Teasdale, and William Shakespeare, the ensembles will perform works from Africa, Brazil, India, and the Philippines. The concert will also feature two music education major conductors, Benjamin Smith, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and Zoey Breakall, Clear Spring, Maryland.
The combined choirs will open the program with “Jambo rafiki yangu” by D. V. Montoya. The Chamber Singers, accompanied by Dr. Erica Rumbley, clinical faculty of musicology and collaborative piano, will perform two works with text by William Blake: “The Lamb” by John Tavener and “Tyger” by Elaine Hagenberg. These will be followed by “Like Barley Bending” by Jordan D. Boyd with text by Sarah Teasdale, and two selections from “Songs and Sonnets” by George Shearing with text by William Shakespeare, accompanied on piano by Annalise Jackson, a music education major from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
The Camerata will sing Kyrie from “Healing the Brokenhearted” by Lita Grier, “L’dor Vador” by Steve Cohen, “The Waking” by Giselle Wyers with text by Theodore Roethke and accompanied by Rumbley, and a cappella “Salmo 150” by Ernani Aguiar.
The program will also include some duets and ensemble works announced from the stage as well as the Chamber Singers performing “Desh,” an Indian raga; and “Rosas Pandan,” a Filipino folk song conducted by Smith.
The evening will conclude with the combined choirs conducted by Breakall singing “Baba Yetu” by Christopher Tin.
General admission for “A World of Music” is $15; $10 for Shepherd faculty, staff, alumni, senior citizens, and students 18 and under; and free for Shepherd students with a valid Rambler ID. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
For more information about upcoming events visit the Calendar of Concerts and Events webpage.
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