Music ensembles to perform free concerts

April 24, 2015 |

Four Harding musical ensembles will perform free concerts April 26-28.

Sunday, April 26; 8 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall Chamber Singers ensemble, directed by Associate Professor of Music Kelly Neill, is a group of 12 to 20 members that performs vocal pieces pertaining to Renaissance and contemporary music. Members of this ensemble also participate in the University’s Concert Choir and Chorus.

Monday, April 27; 7 p.m. in the Administration Auditorium The Harding University-Community Orchestra is made up of 55 members that are University musicians, local professionals and students in the Searcy Community School of Music. Directed by Associate Professor, Director of Bands, and Coordinator of the Instrumental Division Mike Chance, the group performs works for string orchestra and full orchestra from all historical periods. The performance will feature pieces from Brahm’s Symphony No. 3 and will feature trombone soloist Austin Westjohn.

8:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall The Chorus, directed by music chairman Cliff Cliff Ganus, is made up of a select group of 60 voices, has performed in 37 different countries, and has brought messages of musical excellence and spiritual commitment through their concerts. The performance will feature works from Frank Martin, a Swiss composer.

“The work is in a Romantic style, and in spite of its obvious references to plainsong, it is rich and compelling,” Ganus said. “I personally consider it the most difficult and most rewarding piece that the Chorus has ever performed.”

Tuesday, April 28; 7 p.m. in the Administration Auditorium The Wind Ensemble directed by Chance, is an ensemble made up of 63 members that tours periodically in Arkansas and neighboring states and has performed as a featured ensemble at the state music convention. The ensemble will perform a wide repertoire including standard works for band, new works for concert band and wind ensemble and solo literature.