Centenary College Choir’s annual “Rhapsody in View” is November 4 and 5
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary College Choir presents its annual “Rhapsody in View” performance on Saturday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 5, at 3:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Shreveport. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Rhapsody concert.
Rhapsody, produced annually since 1949, is one of the most enduring arts experiences in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. It serves as the annual community debut of the Choir’s eclectic choral repertoire featuring music from the group’s 80-year history as well as new works. The performance is co-sponsored by the Downtown Shreveport Lions’ Club and proceeds from the event support the organization’s charitable work in the community as well as the Centenary College Choir.
The stylistic diversity of the Centenary College Choir will once again be on display for this year’s Rhapsody in View. The theme of this year’s program focuses on God’s Kingdom and features settings of classical sacred texts such as The Lord’s Prayer by Albert Malotte, Holy God We Praise Thy Name by John Ferguson, and O King All Glorious by Healey Willan as well as a new piece titled Thy Kingdom Come by Karen Marrolli. The Choir will also highlight several spirituals and gospel selections, including When the Trumpet Sounds by Andre Thomas, Wade in the Water by Norman Luboff, and two by William Dawson: Ain’-a that Good News and Soon I Will Be Done. The program also features a theatrical flair with arrangements of Pirates of Penzance, My Favorite Things, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The Choir is also pleased to include the Airline High School Choir as this year’s guest artist. Known as “The Troubadours,” the group is directed by Centenary alumna Rebecca Vacha.
“We are so proud of our alumni who go on to work in the school systems all over the region, and especially in our local Shreveport and Bossier schools,” said Dr. David Hobson, director of the Centenary College Choir. “It is a privilege to spotlight their work with a program like Rhapsody in View.”
Tickets are $15 in advance for adults and $10 for students, or $17 at the door. Tickets are available through members of the Choir, the Downtown Shreveport Lions Club, Porter's Cleaners, or by calling the Hurley School of Music (318.869.5235) or the First Methodist Church Music Office (318.429.6887). Information about the performance and tickets is also available by emailing music@centenary.edu.