FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        February 27, 2008

NORTHWESTERN VOCAL GROUPS TO PRESENT FOLKSONG CONCERT

            The Concert Choir and University Singers at Northwestern Oklahoma State University will present “Music of the People: The Art of the Folksong” at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, in Herod Hall Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

            Dr. Stephen Kingsbury, director of choral and vocal studies, said the program looks at the art and artistry of folksong settings for choir that are drawn from around the world.

            Works will include a set of three German folksongs by Felix Mendelssohn and Aaron Copland’s “Long Time Ago.” Also included are a collection of four Hungarian folksongs arranged by Bela Bartok, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ arrangement of “Just as the Tide Was Flowing” and Harry Somer’s arrangement of the Newfoundland folk tune “Feller from Fortune.”

            Next will be James Erb’s arrangement of “Shenandoah,” which Kingsbury describes as stunning. The program will conclude with Mack Wilberg’s arrangements of “Four American Folk Hymns” for choir and four-hands piano. Dr. Ling-Yu Kan., assistant professor of piano, and Dr. Rodney Murrow, director of graduate studies, will join the choirs for the final number.

            The Concert Choir is a large mixed chorus, while the University Singers is an elite small vocal ensemble.

-NW-

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