Catawba College's first choral concert of the 2017-2018 academic year, "I Sing Because," will be performed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 1st in the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus.
"I Sing Because" will feature songs in celebration of the human spirit performed by the college's various vocal ensembles. Works by Moses Hogan, Arnesen, Peter Anglea, and Rollo Dilworth will be performed by the 82-voice Catawba Singers and the Chamber Choir. Also featured on the program will be works by Dolly Parton and Billy Joel.
PopAC will perform Catawba student Greg Florio's original arrangement of "Go the Distance" from Disney's Hercules. Reshaud Brown of Greenwood, S.C., Amery Barton of Salisbury, and Dominic Masotti of Greenville, S.C., will be featured soloists with this ensemble.
Catawba College's music program continues to draw national attention for both diversity and quality of musical offerings. For the past several years, the Catawba Choirs have been recognized for their musical endeavors through invited performances at American Choral Director Conventions and performances at national events. This year, the Catawba Singers led daily worship for the weeklong Synod31 of the United Church of Christ. Held in Baltimore, Md., this convention was attended by over 8,000 members from around the world.
Student conductor Katie Zobel of Chapin, S.C., will direct "Jabberwocky" by Sam Pottle, and Greg Florio of Lake Wylie, S.C., will direct "O vos omnes" by Stroope. These pieces are rehearsed and prepared for the concert by the student directors as part of their conducting cognate, a program unique to Catawba College.
Catawba Choirs are under the direction of Dr. Phillip E. Burgess, Associate Chair of the Music Department and Director of Choral/Vocal Studies. Accompanists will be Jacob Hahn and Susan Trivette, along with various student musicians.
The hour-long concert is free and open to the public.
