(Posted April 15, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College Choral Union will perform a spring concert of material ranging from Mozart to Paul Simon at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 22 at Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts on the Juniata campus.

The concert is free and open to the public. The Choral Union is directed by Russell Shelley, Elma Stine Heckler Associate Professor of Music.

The concert opens with "Sing dem Herrn (Sing to the Lord, all who love Him), a piece that was written by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), a German composer who worked mainly in Dresden. The ensemble will follow that arrangement with "Te Deum," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart's work is considered one of his last "boyhood" compositions. It is a parody of an earlier work by Franz Joseph Haydn. "Te Deum" is an early Christian hymn of praise. It is still sung in churches of many denominations.

The next selection will be "Sing Gloria," written by William Billings (1746-1800). Billings is considered one of the first American choral music composers. The choir will then perform "Te Deum," Mozart's contemporary, Haydn (1732-1809). The Haydn "Te Deum" was written for the Empress of Austria, Maria Therese.

The ensemble will transition from classical selections to more secular and international selections. The choir will sing "A Red, Red Rose," written by Z. Randall Stroope, followed by "Gloria," written by Don Davidson.

"Order My Steps" continues the choral program, a song written by Glenn Burleigh. International music follows, with "El Cielo canta Alegria!" by Pablo Sosa. The ensemble will close the concert by performing "Bridge Over Troubled Water," by Paul Simon.
The Choral Union is the largest choral ensemble at Juniata with a student membership of 75 and another 35 members from communities in the Huntingdon area. The Juniata Choral Union traditionally performs larger choral works.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.