Centenary College Choir’s “Rhapsody in View” is November 5 and 6
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary College Choir presents its annual “Rhapsody in View” performance on Saturday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 6, at 3:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Shreveport. This year’s Rhapsody performances close out Centenary’s Homecoming celebration week.
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 Choir’s tradition is well preserved in standards such as Dry Bones by Livingston Gearhart and Tenebrae factae sunt by Mark-Antonio Ingegneri. Other classic pieces appear on the program as well, such as The Last Words of David by Randall Thompson, Blessed Be the Name of the Lord by Dale Grotenhuis and Eric Nelson’s thoughtful Music When Soft Voices Die. The Choir was founded in 1941, a year inextricably linked to America’s involvement in World War II, and will offer the audience-engaging Salute to the Armed Forces and National Anthem in tribute to those who have and continue to serve our country.
Two additional works composed by Centenary Choir alumni are also featured. The first is Set Me as a Seal by Taylor Davis ‘03, written in honor of an alumni couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. The second, Twitterlieder, is an extensive work written by alumnus and current faculty member, Dr. James Eakin ‘00. Eakin’s clever setting covers a life’s journey in three brief acts, and is a fusion of clever jingles, Broadway styles, gospel, and even tosses in reflective “Greek choruses.” Twitterlieder was recently awarded first place in the American Prize for Composition.
“The Choir is thrilled to be performing Twitterlieder,” said Dr. David Hobson ‘98, director of the Centenary College Choir. “My friend Dr. Eakin is a wonderfully versatile composer and his talents and imagination are on full display in this work. There isn’t anything else like this out there in the choral repertoire, and it’s fun for both audience and choir alike.”
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 First United Methodist Church Music Office (318.429.6887). Information about the performance and tickets is also available by emailing music@centenary.edu.