SHREVEPORT, LA -- Centenary College's internationally known Choir has been globetrotting once again -- this time with a 10-day visit to South Africa. The Centenary Choir started out with three days in Cape Town followed by stops in George, Port Elizabeth, Durbin, Johannesburg and Pilanesburg.
Choir Director Will Andress is accompanied by 68 people, including 43 students and 25 adults. The students are presenting a traditional program of American music. Sponsored by several Methodist churches in South Africa, the concerts are being held in churches, concert halls and other auditoriums. One concert, a benefit for the John Wesley School, is hosted by the chief executive officer of the Debeers organization, Andress said.
The tour also includes some time for sightseeing and activities such as evening-time and sunrise photography game drives and golf at Gary Player's home course. Many members of the Choir will return to Shreveport on the afternoon of Sunday, May 23, while some of the participants will take an extended sightseeing tour to Greece, Germany, Austria and Italy.
The Centenary Choir sings annually throughout the United States. Every other year, it also makes international tours. In the past 58 years, the Choir has visited more than 30 countries on four continents, singing for front-line troops in Korea, many European and Asian heads of state, NATO and American armed forces, 10 conventions of Lions International, three times for the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Council of Bishops, and two lengthy engagements at New York's Radio City Music Hall. For the past two years, the Choir has performed during special Christmas receptions at The White House.
The next tour will be to Ireland/Great Britain in 2001. This extensive travel has earned the choir the media title of "American's Singing Ambassadors."
Choir members scheduled for the trip are:
Accompanists: Emily Pinnis and Jerry Don Killian.
Sopranos: Greta Adams, Rebecca Geihsler, Melanie Genius, Stacey Glenn, Jamie Hearne, Kriss Kirkindoll, Sarah King, Nikki Kitchens, Grace Long, Mariah Mayo, Sarah Starks, Sarah Sutton, Katie White, and Sarah Williams.
Tenors: Lewis Bell, Jay Carroll, Nate Edwards, Sean Gilder, Warren Harper, Lawrence LeDuff and Larry Looke.
Basses: Jason Burnham, Bob Calhoun, Octavio Cardenas, James Eakin, George Fine, Donny Kirdindoll, Joey Legg, Lee Parker, Robert Swafford, Dawson Taylor and Weston Webb.
Altos: Denise Beville, Sarah Clark, Allison Courville, Sarah Lagersen, Keeley Larned, Amanda Rundell, Julie Shepherd, Stephanie Stodghill, Katy Valentine and Amy Woodley.
Churches hosting performances are Rosebank Methodist Church in Cape Town, George Methodist Church in George, St. John's Methodist Church in Port Elizabeth, Pinetown Methodist Church in Durban and Trinity Methodist Church in Johannesburg.
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