Audience members shuffled into the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center for a night of music from the University Singers under the direction of Dr. Francis Cathlina, accompanied by Amy Nguyen. Typically, for University Singers concerts, there will be an additional choir
featured, and this performance featured the Northwest Mississippi Community College Ranger Chorale, directed by Alex Belohlavek.
On Oct. 29, the show began with the Northwest Mississippi Community College, performing Color All Maps New by Dylan Trần, and following their performance, Dr. Cathlina introduced the University Singers and said, “Tonight, you are in for a treat because this evening you are going to witness a world premiere of a piece written by a composer, conductor, and educator who resides in San Antonio. His name is Dr. Jordan Boyd, and he has written a piece whose libretto was inspired and by one of his own students at the University of Texas in San Antonio. The piece itself is called Atlas and Heracles, and it talks about the burdens that we ourselves carry as humans throughout our lifetime.”
Dr. Boyd’s student, Michaela Cobb, sent a video to the University Singers thanking them for performing the piece that she inspired and emphasized the impact it has on her and how it helped her get through mental struggles.
The University Singers presented several different pieces including, Warum by Johannes Brahms, Veni Sante Spiritus by Zanaida Robles, and I should be glad by Susan LaBarr.
“My favorite piece to learn and perform was, I Should Be Glad because it is a song about longing and bringing people together”, said Caroline Davis, a senior vocal performance major and soprano in the University Singers choir.
There are a variety of upcoming choral events at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music to look forward to including the Tigerchor Concert on Nov. 4 at 7pm in the Plough Performance Hall, the Mazi & Collegiate Choir Concert on Nov. 21 in Harris Hall at 7 p.m., and Karen Zeferino’s DMA Choral Conducting Recital with University Singers featuring Garrett Heady Choral Ensemble on Nov. 25 in the Harris Hall.
