The "Evening of Choirs" will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ley Theatre.
Music to stir the soul shapes Wayne State College’s “An Evening of Choirs” concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Ley Theatre, located in the Brandenburg Building at Wayne State. The performance is free and open to the public.
The concert will also be livestreamed.
The program will be accessible by selecting the event from the Upcoming Music Events list.
Titled “Spirits Soaring,” the concert features the Wayne State Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Fortis, and Lyrica. Fortis and Lyrica perform at 7:30 p.m. with an intermission at 8 p.m., followed by the Chamber Choir and Concert Choir at 8:15 p.m.
The Chamber Choir delivers the triumphant “Clap Your Hands” by F. Melius Christiansen and Elaine Hagenberg’s “By Night,” a vivid depiction of an enchanting, unfamiliar world.
The Concert Choir presents the gospel-style “Come in Peace” by Brian Tate, with Wayne State student soloists Chaley Parks and Jennifer Bonge of Omaha, Neb., and Tyler Baue of Wausa, Neb. Dr. Angela Miller-Niles, professor of piano at Wayne State, and Shelly Armstrong, Wayne State’s collaborative pianist, join the Concert Choir playing four-hand piano on Johannes Brahms’ “Liebslieder Waltzes” Op. 52 No. 8 and 9. These lilting, love-song waltzes are standard repertoire for advanced choirs.
Fortis entertains with a traditional barbershop rendition of Maude Nugent’s “Sweet Rosie O’Grady,” a 19th century love song acclaimed for its charming harmony. Tyler Baue conducts Fortis through a medley of the African American spirituals “Gospel Train/I’m Working on a Building.”
“Angel by the Wings,” Sia’s ballad of empowerment and resilience written for the documentary “The Eagle Huntress,” punctuates Lyrica’s performance. Libbi Tillemans of Norfolk, Neb., provides accompaniment for this selection with Kallie Lindquist of Elkhorn, Neb., as soloist.
Dr. Matthew Armstrong, director of choral activities at Wayne State, will conduct the concert.
For more information, contact the Wayne State Department of Music at 402-375-7359.