2008 Woodie Awards
Musicians tune up for Masterworks
Last department concert of the year looks promising
Alyson Browning
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: News
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The hard work of this year's Southwest Baptist University music students and faculty will culminate in Masterworks at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3 in Pike Auditorium.
The exact year Masterworks started is uncertain, but it is a tradition that is at least 30 years strong.
"The Masterworks presentation is the highlight of the academic year in that we bring a great number of musicians together to perform works that none of the ensembles can perform individually," said Dr. James Tarrant, associate professor of music and director of choral studies. "I keep in the forefront of my mind the audience in that we strive to present works that will inspire them, move them and impress them."
This year's Masterworks repertoire consists of "Alto Rhapsody (Op.53)" by Johannes Brahms and "Lux Aeterna" by Morten Lauridsen.
Laura Compton, instructor of voice and mezzo-soprano, will sing the solo on the Brahms. Male chorus and orchestra will accompany her.
"From the first time I experienced a Laura Compton performance, I knew that we had to do the Brahms," said Tarrant. "It would be a debut for her of sorts after her appointment to the SBU faculty."
Compton sang mezzo-soprano in last year's Masterworks, but this will be her first solo performance after joining the SBU music faculty.
According to Tarrant, the quality of the orchestra and male voices in the department is at a level capable of such a performance.
"Lux Aeterna" is a spiritual piece for chorus and orchestra.
"There is so much 'hope and glory' in the work that the musicians themselves cannot help but be moved," said Tarrant. "I recall clearly a choral rehearsal last week whereas I conducted and listened to the Masterworks chorus, I had a tangible awareness of the Light of Lights, so much so that I couldn't speak clearly for a few moments.
"The work beautifully moves the listener without being bombastic or trite. The work is custom-made for our Masterworks."
The repertoire for this year's performance has been selected since last summer.
The exact year Masterworks started is uncertain, but it is a tradition that is at least 30 years strong.
"The Masterworks presentation is the highlight of the academic year in that we bring a great number of musicians together to perform works that none of the ensembles can perform individually," said Dr. James Tarrant, associate professor of music and director of choral studies. "I keep in the forefront of my mind the audience in that we strive to present works that will inspire them, move them and impress them."
This year's Masterworks repertoire consists of "Alto Rhapsody (Op.53)" by Johannes Brahms and "Lux Aeterna" by Morten Lauridsen.
Laura Compton, instructor of voice and mezzo-soprano, will sing the solo on the Brahms. Male chorus and orchestra will accompany her.
"From the first time I experienced a Laura Compton performance, I knew that we had to do the Brahms," said Tarrant. "It would be a debut for her of sorts after her appointment to the SBU faculty."
Compton sang mezzo-soprano in last year's Masterworks, but this will be her first solo performance after joining the SBU music faculty.
According to Tarrant, the quality of the orchestra and male voices in the department is at a level capable of such a performance.
"Lux Aeterna" is a spiritual piece for chorus and orchestra.
"There is so much 'hope and glory' in the work that the musicians themselves cannot help but be moved," said Tarrant. "I recall clearly a choral rehearsal last week whereas I conducted and listened to the Masterworks chorus, I had a tangible awareness of the Light of Lights, so much so that I couldn't speak clearly for a few moments.
"The work beautifully moves the listener without being bombastic or trite. The work is custom-made for our Masterworks."
The repertoire for this year's performance has been selected since last summer.
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