Annual Masterworks Concert
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
STEPHENVILLE, Texas—Selections from Resphigi’s Laud to the Nativity, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah, are featured in the upcoming masterworks concert at Tarleton State University set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium.
Tarleton’s choral program and the Cross Timbers Civic Chorale, accompanied by the Tarleton Masterworks Orchestra, join forces for the 38th annual holiday presentation directed by Dr. Troy Robertson.
Tickets are $15 and are available from members of the Cross Timbers Civic Chorale, Tarleton Chamber Choir and University Singers, or at the Tarleton box office beginning Monday, Nov. 27.
“The Cross Timbers Civic Chorale and our students have been working very hard to put this together,” said Robertson, Tarleton’s director of choirs. “We’re so excited to have the Fort Worth Symphony back with us. It’s fitting that we’re helping round out Tarleton’s centennial celebration with this performance.”
Other featured faculty include Dr. Leslie Spotz on harpsichord and piano, and Steve Chambers, who serves as rehearsal accompanist and plays piano alongside her.
The program begins with the brief, beautiful Laud of the Nativity featuring a small ensemble of instruments, full choir and solos. Dr. Heather Hawk will sing solos depicting the angel visiting shepherds, Tarleton sophomore Victoria Vilches sings as Mary, and guest artist Christopher MacRae, tenor, sings on behalf of the shepherds.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was composed for performance throughout Advent and Christmas seasons. Tarleton choirs and the Fort Worth Symphony will present a small portion of the nearly 3-hour piece, featuring solos by Hawk and McRae. Dr. Iwao Asakura will render baritone solos.
The Hallelujah Chorus, as customary, will cap the evening.
“We have some of the traditional in the Hallelujah Chorus mixed with something entirely new, Respighi’s beautiful Christmas Laud,” Robertson said. “I didn’t know the work well before looking at it this past summer, and can’t wait to hear our performers come together on Dec. 2.”
The upcoming holiday concert is just one of many performances open to the public presented by Tarleton’s Department of Fine Arts. For more information about future concerts and events at the Fine Arts Center, visit www.tarleton.edu/finearts.
Tarleton, celebrating 100 years as founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. As a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) with campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, leadership, excellence and service.
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Contact: Phil Riddle, News & Information Specialist
817-484-4415
[email protected]
