Goal of choir at Russell church is to lead in worship (MARK MAYNARD)

RUSSELL Jim Wilcox says church choirs shouldn’t be about bringing people to their feet but bringing them to their knees.

The worship leader at First Baptist Church in Russell leads one of the biggest and talented choirs in the Tri-State area.

It has grown from a small core of 20 wearing green robes when he came 13 years ago to a 120-member powerhouse choir with a “calling to lead the congregation into the presence of Christ,” Wilcox said.

It has been a ... continue reading

Cast from 'Dream Girls' visits elementary choir class ( The Clackamas Review)

Cast members from the musical Dream Girls visited choir students at John Wetten Elementary this week. In town for performances at Portland Center Stage, the cast is based in New York City, where several have performed on Broadway.

“The cast members sang for us, our choir sang for them, and then we all sang together,” said music teacher Kelly Jacobs. Students were able to ask questions and ... continue reading

Shorter University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts to present choral concert ( TownNews.com)

Rome, Ga. — Shorter University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts will present its fall choral concert, “Friendship and Faith,” on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Brookes Chapel. The Homecoming Weekend event is open to the public. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for senior adults and students. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Shorter University Box Office at 706-233-7288 or emailing boxoffice@shorter.eduboxoffice@shorter.edu>.

Drawing on inspiration she has received during the past four years, Director of Choral Activities Dr. Stefanie Cash said the concert’s theme reflects the ... continue reading

Fix My Choir: Michelle Williams and Deitrick Haddon prove the healing power of song ( Lori Acken)

Seated side by side on a sofa in a Beverly Hills hotel lounge, former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams and Preachers of L.A. star Deitrick Haddon are radiating positive energy. The pair has just turned a room full of exhausted TV critics into a sea of smiling faces courtesy of a rousing performance with the Hermosa Beach Gospel Choir — just one example of their costars on Oxygen’s uplifting new series Fix My Choir.

Over the course of eight episodes, Haddon and Williams crisscross California — and the country — to turn a variety of struggling vocal groups into united musical forces. “A choir is really a reflection of a community; you get everybody in a choir,” says Haddon, who also executive produces the ... continue reading

Madrigal Choir opens season Sunday (BGM)

Since 1978, the Madrigal Choir has been singing. Singing is the choir's thing, and it seems appropriate that they spend the 2014-15 season celebrating what they do best.

The ensemble loves to entertain, and so its members sing. But entertainment is only one occasion for singing. Everyone sings to celebrate, to inspire, to comfort and to express great ideas. With singing, people demonstrate their ... continue reading

Frogtown music students perform in class (Ruben Rosario)

On cue, the kids in "ComMUSICation" choral music director Ryan LaBoy's class take 10 seconds at the beginning to "wiggle and giggle" -- a joyous release of unbridled energy.

Then it's down to business. The 20 youngsters dutifully sit down and, now as collectively zoned in and ... continue reading

Mousehole Choir unite Cornish singers to support Newlyn's Fishermen's Mission [CMScott]

Five Cornish choirs sang their hearts out to raise £2,500 for Newlyn’s Fishermen’s Mission.

Mousehole Male Voice Choir joined Mevagissey Male Choir, Nankersey Male Choir, Newquay Male Voice Choir and the Polperro Fishermen’s Choir to raise a Redruth church roof for the mission.

The event was orchestrated by Mousehole MD Stephen Lawry whose members were keen to mark their support for Cornwall’s fishermen after they suffered a cataclysmic winter.

The concert was compered by ... continue reading

NIC Choral Union, guest to perform 'High Lonesome Mass' [CDA Press.com]

COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho College will present Dr. Tim Sharp and NIC Choral Union in a performance of "High Lonesome Mass" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

As part of a three-day residency at NIC, Sharp will also give a presentation on American Bluegrass, the origins of the music of the "sacred harp" and "shape note" singing traditions at 11 a.m. Oct. 8, in Boswell Hall room 102. From Oct. 7-9, Sharp will be working with choral students and the community as they prepare to perform his "High Lonesome Mass."

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All events are free and open to the public, but non-perishable food items will be taken at the door for the NIC Food Pantry.

Sharp is a distinguished conductor and composer, as well as the executive director of the American Choral Director's Association. This is his fifth season as artistic director of the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, where critics characterize his performances as having "stunning power" and "great passion and precision."

Sharp previously served as the dean of fine arts at Rhodes College in Memphis. He also served as director of ... continue reading

Wrenn receives music boosters scholarship (The Mid Week)

SYCAMORE – Lucy Wrenn is the winner of the Sycamore Music Boosters Continuing College Music Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to help Sycamore High School alumni continue their music education in college. Wrenn, a first year recipient, was awarded this scholarship in recognition of her outstanding musicianship, music and academic achievements, and overall participation in music.

Wrenn is in her senior year at Augustana College majoring in music education and psychology. She has been highly involved in a number of Augustana ensembles including the Augustana Choir, Chamber Singers, the Ascension Singers, and ... continue reading

Threshold Choir in Lawrence comes alive to sing for the dying (DONALD BRADLEY The Kansas City Star)

LAWRENCE

The open door lets the women’s singing waft into the cool evening.

Had someone passed by on the narrow, residential street in this college town, they may have slowed, stopped even. And listened in the dark to the two-round, a cappella harmony coming from the small, white house.

But they likely would not have recognized a tune or lyric. The songs are not for them.

They are for the dying.

The women inside make up Lawrence’s new Threshold Choir. The idea is for members to go in small groups to a hospice setting, hospital or home and sing softly at the bedsides of those near death.

At the recent rehearsal, member Anne Haehl tells the ... continue reading