University Chorale Invites Community to Spring Concert April 29

OBU’s Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts Division of Music is proud to present University Chorale’s Spring Concert “With an Americana flavor.” Conducted by Dr. Brent Ballweg, Burton H. Patterson professor of music and director of choral activities, and accompanied on piano by Dr. Mary Chung, assistant professor of piano, University Chorale’s concert will take place Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel’s Yarborough Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public and seating is limited.

The concert will feature numerous “Americana” classics, specifically in the second half of the program, which will feature music of American composers/arrangers only, including a number of American folk song arrangements.

Works featured in the program include, “Do not fear” by Fred Gramann, with soloists Olivia Jones and Emmalee Ewbank; “Ain’-a That Good News” by William L. Dawson, with student Jill Pullen conducting; student Cassidy Olsen conducting Dan Forrest’s “A Covenant Prayer;” Adam Holt and Emily Wright as soloists in Jack Schrader’s arrangement of “Order My Steps;” student Zach Fisher accompanying the choir on the harmonica in Mark Hayes’ arrangement of “Home on the Range;” and Dan Forrest’s arrangement of “Skip to My Lou” featuring student Audrey Johnson on percussion.

Since its founding in 1963, the University Chorale at Oklahoma Baptist University has been the premiere mixed ensemble. Comprised of some of OBU's finest singers selected by audition, Chorale's purpose remains the same as it was in its earliest days, “to present advanced choral literature to the OBU campus and community.”

University Chorale maintains an active performing schedule throughout the state, region and on campus. The group completed a spring tour through Texas during the first week of April. In recent years, the Chorale has appeared at the Southwestern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, The Church Music Workshop, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Oklahoma State Youth Choir Festival and the Oklahoma Music Educators Association In-service Workshop. Recent tours have included California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.