Northwestern Community Choir Open to Public, Rehearsals on Monday Evenings

September 10, 2021

Members of the University Singers at Northwestern perform at the spring Soundscapes concert at the Alva Bus Barn. Members of the community can join these singers by participating in the community choir each Monday evening.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s music program is once again welcoming members of the public and anyone from the university to participate in the Community Choir. Rehearsals are Mondays from 6:55 to 8:45 p.m. in the J.W. Martin Library Annex.

“We want to welcome all community members and alumni members to come out and join in to sing and have fun,” Dr. Karsten Longhurst, assistant professor of music and director of choral studies, said. “We have a wide variety of people with us. Some students are homeschooled, some are traditional students, and some are singers who are wise in years and would just like to sing. All ages are accepted, there is a 15-year-old singing with us and then there is a 90-year-old that still sings with us.”

Three separate sessions will be open to everyone interested in all surrounding communities at no cost. The first session, “Music in the Country,” started on Aug. 23 and will continue each Monday evening through Oct. 12. The second session, “Holiday Session,” is Oct. 18 through Dec. 10, the Monday of finals week. The third session, “Masterworks Session,” will begin on Jan. 10, 2022, which is the first Monday of the spring 2022 semester.

The first concert, “Music in the Country,” will take place on Oct. 12 at 6:55 p.m. The second concert, “Holiday Session,” will be a joint concert with the university band on Dec. 10 in Herod Hall. The third concert, “Masterworks Sessions,” will take place on Feb. 24 at 6:55 p.m. More information about each concert will be announced soon.

“We take the time to develop musicianship skills, and we get to know so many people,” said senior Angie Aguilera, a vocal performance major from Woodward. “It’s more than just a community; it’s warm, welcoming, it’s safe, and it doesn't matter where you’re at musically. We help each other make music in so many ways other than just explaining how to tell what key signature you’re in.”

For more information, contact Longhurst at (580) 327-8692 or email him at krlonghurst@nwosu.edu.

-NW-