Bison Glee Club Invites Community to Spring Concert May 2

The Bison Glee Club, Oklahoma Baptist University’s legendary men’s chorus, is proud to present their spring concert Tuesday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in Raley Chapel’s Yarborough Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public, and seating is limited. The group is under the direction of Dr. Christopher Mathews, dean of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts and professor of music.

Founded in 1938 by Warren M. Angell, former dean of the College of Fine Arts, the Bison Glee Club is an auditioned group of the finest male musicians on the campus of OBU. The group has long been considered one of the premiere men's choruses in the Southwest and has toured extensively throughout the United Stated as well as in Canada, Europe and the Far East.

Works featured in the program include, “How Firm a Foundation,” arranged by Dan Forrest; “Kum ba yah,” arranged by Richard Huggins; “O lux beatissima,” by Howard Helvey; “El Cordero de Dios,” an original work created by Mathews; “Alleluia,” by Sally K. Albrecht; and “Praise Him!” by Michael Cox.

The Glee Club will also perform “By Faith,” arranged by Richard A. Nichols, featuring violin by Dr. Benjamin Shute, assistant professor of music and director of preparatory department; “The Promised Land,” from “Southern Harmony;” “Mohla Jesu a Boa,” by Dr. Thabe Matsabatlela, featuring Matsabatlela as guest conductor; “Sinnuh Man” by Kenney Potter; and “Jesus Paid It All,” arranged by Robert Sterling.

“We’re doing three settings with strong Glee Club connections,” Mathews said. “‘Kum ba yah’ is arranged by Richard Huggins [OBU class of 1969], who will be in attendance. ‘Praise Him!’ was written by Michael Cox, former director, for the Glee Club’s 50th anniversary, and I wrote ‘El Cordero’ for this year’s tour to Santa Fe.”

Mathews is excited for Matsabatlela to be able to attend and direct his own work.

“Dr. Thabe Matsabatlela will be joining us from South Africa,” Mathews said. “I’ve known ‘Moss’ for 12 years and have done several projects with him. He’ll be in the United States all this week and will be leading the men in his piece, ‘Mohla Jesu a boa.’”

For more information on the Division of Music at OBU, visit www.okbu.edu/fine-arts/music.