University Singers concert set for Nov. 1

The Women’s and Men’s Choirs at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will present their fall concert on Monday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Riceland Hall of Fowler Center. 

The concert will present the two groups in a variety of choral music styles including motets, spirituals, 21st century concert pieces, vocal jazz, and both barbershop and “beautyshop” quartets. Dr. Dale Miller, director of choral activities, will conduct both groups with assistance by graduate choral conducting students Sherry Fagan and Carolyn Smith.

The Women’s Choir will begin the concert with “A Choral Flourish” by Spevacek, followed by “Akakomborerwa” from the “Shone Mass” by Kesselman, which uses the Latin and Shona text translations of blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; “Ascribe to the Lord” by Rosephanye Powell; a jazz setting of “You Made Me Love You” arranged by Michelle Weir; two “Beauty Shop” arrangements by Sweet Adelines International, “All of Me” and “Sophisticated Swing” and finally, a choral arrangement of “Hail, Holy Queen” from the movie “Sister Act,” arranged by Roger Emerson and conducted by Sherry Fagan. The Women’s Choir is accompanied by ASU junior Priscilla Noyes on piano, sophomores Perry Harper and Janet Hamer on percussion, and graduate student John T. Hays on bass.

The Men’s Choir will continue the concert with a setting of “The Pledge to the Flag” by Albert Hay Malotte, which will be conducted by Men’s Choir president Andrew Kjorlaug; followed by Powell’s “The Word Was God,” an eight-part men’s a cappella anthem on the initial verses of the gospel of John; “Adoramus te, Christe,” a Renaissance motet by Palestrina; and a Swahili folk hymn titled “Bwana Awabariki” arranged by Eugene Butler. 

Graduate conducting student Carolyn Smith will direct the group in a Japanese language 20th century piece whose English title is “Voices of Autumn” composed by Jackson Hill. Dr. Miller will return to conduct a calypso setting of “Marry a Woman Uglier than You,” Chris Mitchell, soloist; and finish the program with two barbershop arrangements “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” and “Coney Island Baby.”  Tara Skinner, a junior at ASU, is pianist for the group.

The Women's Choir includes:  first sopranos—Sherry Fagan of Miami, Fla., Kristina Kellems of Jonesboro, Lilly Miller of Mayflower, Samantha Jolly of Marston, Mo., and Jamie Thompson of Rison; second sopranos—Heather Chance of Harrisburg, Brioney Hellums of Mount Pleasant, Priscilla Noyes of Dexter, Mo., Secret Rackley and Carol Ann Segraves of Jonesboro, Amelia Russell of Stamps, Crystal Stormes of Goobertown, and Masami Shiono of Nara, Japan; first altos—Ashley Armstrong of Highland, Carly Gorman of Little Rock, Brittany Howard of Paragould,  Rachel Smith and Cindy Sterling, both of Jonesboro, Keri Todd of Marion, and Renee Zimmerman of Canon City, Colo.; second altos—Jennifer Bowles of Morrilton, Erica Carter and Lauren Gibbs, both of Marion, Christy Fudge of Forrest City, Jennifer Mansfield of Batesville, Carolyn Smith of Huntsville, Ala., Shannon Smithee of Paragould, and Rebecca Whitley of Piggott.

The Men's Choir includes first tenors—Josh Dennis of Springfield, Mo., Justin Griffin of Sikeston, Mo., Nic Sheppard of Doniphan, Mo., Rusty Shields of Osceola, and Bill Weaver of Little Rock; second tenors—Justin Dugger of Batesville, Chris Mitchell of Trumann, Derrick Moore of Forrest City, Justin Elkins and Ryan Jackson, both of Whitehall, and Matt Vardell and Charles Winfield, both of Jonesboro; baritones—Joshua Broadbent of Wynne, John Easley of Bald Knob, Perry Harper, Jon Schug, and Andrew Kjorlaug, all of Paragould, Derrick Palmer of Brinkley, Jon Stevenson of North Little Rock, and Keith Westbrook of Benton; basses—Michael Crutchfield of Paragould, Michael Davis and Thomas Head of Jonesboro, Edmond Hampton of Fort Smith, Lance Lewallen of Whitehall, Patrick Manes of Bryant, Josh Wilcoxson of Kennett, Mo., and Jason Mendell and Matt Ziegler of Jonesboro.

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information please call the Department of Music at (870) 972-2094.