College Choir presents Rhapsody in View 2010 Nov. 6/7

Choir

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service) — The Centenary Choir presents the 62nd Annual Rhapsody in View at the Riverview Theater located along the riverfront in downtown Shreveport. Co-sponsored by the Downtown Lions Club and Centenary College, the concert takes place Saturday, Nov. 6 beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

One of each group's most cherished traditions; "rhapsody" has always inspired a wealth of diverse repertoire, representing the core nature of the Choir's unique programming.

The Rhapsody 2010 program delivers this diversity with the theme "Water, World, Witness," embodying images and sounds of change, cultural exploration and transformation.

The first half of the program features some old favorites such as John Rutter's Down by the Riverside and the entertaining yet poignant Broadway medley from Big River. The "Water" theme is further developed with a traditional setting of Down in the River to Pray, Mark Hayes' bluesy Wade in the Water, Eric Nelson's It is Well with my Soul, and Choir alumnus James Eakin's prayerful Still Waters.

As the program evolves into its other movements, exploring "World" music seems fitting to the group, one of whose mottos is to "travel and learn from the world in which we live."

The Choir presents Gioachino Rossini's I Gondolieri (song of the gondoliers), Jonathan Quick's setting of the Scottish Loch Lomond, and Osvaldo Lacerda's percussive Brazilian folk song setting of Ofulú Lorêrê. The last is an appropriate foreshadowing of the Choir's international tour to Brazil and Argentina in May 2011.

The program concludes with the Choir's traditional Tenebrae factae sunt—a stirring vision and "Witness" of Christ's final moments on the cross, encased in Palestrina-styled counterpoint—and two exciting spirituals, Moses Hogan's I Can Tell the World and Jack Halloran's Witness.

The concert is co-sponsored by the Downtown Lions Club, with proceeds supporting projects such as sight conservation, Lions Eye Research Foundation, the Northwest Louisiana Lions Eye Bank and the Lions Camp near Leesville, La.

Tickets are $10 in advance ($12 at the door)and may be purchased from any Centenary Choir member, Downtown Lions Club members, at the Hurley School of Music at Centenary, at all Porters Cleaners locations, or by calling 318.869.5235.

For Centenary alumni, family, and friends, the Alumni Office will hold a reception from 6-7:15 p.m. prior to Saturday night's performance.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 373 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.