(March 6, 2015)

Choir collaborates with FUMC for "An Eclectic Requiem"

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary College Choir and the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport are set to perform An Eclectic Requiem from Masters Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. in the FUMC sanctuary. The program is free and open to the public.

"As a United Methodist church-related institution, I think it's important to provide opportunities, be it artistic or otherwise, for our Centenary students to connect to local congregations," said Dr. A.C. "Cheesy" Voran Choir Director David Hobson. "For this specific collaboration, I think each entity brings a unique perspective to the program. While the students understand the program musically and artistically to a significant degree, the church choir is an entity made up of people with substantial life experience when it comes to matters of life, death, grief, mourning, and celebration. They sing from slightly different places in life, and for slightly different reasons."

Hobson notes that Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms have been affectionately known as the "3 B's" of classical music, each representing an important period of influential music in the German tradition spanning almost 200 years. The collaborative program will highlight each choir individually, including soloists, and collectively alongside a full professional orchestra.

The performance of these composers' works foreshadows the Centenary Choir's tour to Central Europe in May, where the students will have the opportunity to visit the historical settings that were familiar to these great composers.

"Additionally, the insight gained through performance gives a unique lens into the musical cultures we will be studying and more incentive to know these masters and their music on a deeper level," said Hobson.

Founded in 1941, the Centenary College Choir has performed throughout the world: singing for front-line troops in Korea, many American and European heads of state, NATO and American armed forces worldwide, ten international 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.