Peru State schedules fall concert

PERU  - The Peru State Choral Department will present its fall concert on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

The Fall Concert will provide an eclectic mix of music featuring the concert choir, women’s choir, and vocal solos. Some of the musical selections performed will include:

• A bombastic opera chorus by Jacques Offenbach.
• A popular Spanish tune that will be familiar to most.
• The incredibly beautiful “Irish Blessing” and whimsical “I’ll Tell My Ma” (featuring violinist Lacey Overstreet).
• “Sam Was a Man,” a poetic eulogy written by E.E. Cummings, performed as a four-part octave duet.
• The haunting sounds of the season with “The Dream Keeper” by Rollo Dilworth, “Fire” by Katrina Gimon, and Casper Christiansen’s “October Twilight.”

“We are performing some very challenging music,” said Bartlett, “and the students have not only learned the music to a high level, but they have embraced the challenges with open arms.”

A highlight of the Fall Concert will be the premier of an Alma Mater called Shadows, originally composed for the band by the late Director of Bands, Dr. David Edris. Bartlett arranged the piece for voice, and the song will be accompanied by violin for its premiere.

This year will also bring a new format to choral concerts. Choirs will sing smaller portions of the concert several times, and auditioned vocal solos will also be performed. In addition, each concert will start with the National Anthem and the Alma Mater and end with the Color Song. Audience members will be invited to stand as they are able and sing along near the beginning of each concert.

Dr. Jake Bartlett, Director of choral activities and professor of music, will direct the performance. Barb Jones will be the accompanist. Admission to the event is free.