Centenary College Choir’s “Rhapsody in View” is November 6 and 7
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary College Choir presents its annual “Rhapsody in View” performance on Saturday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 7, at 3:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Shreveport. “Rhapsody in View,” presented annually since 1949, is one of the most enduring arts experiences in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.
“In 2021, emerging from the pandemic, the Centenary Choir remains ever reconciled to the tasks of bringing people together, connecting to its audience and wider community, and uplifting people of faith,” said Dr. David Hobson, director of the Centenary College Choir. “We are using the theme, ‘Reconciled,’ to build an exciting repertoire for our traditional fall concert and the 2021-2022 Choir season. An example is Joseph Martin's inspiring anthem, The Awakening, which transitions from a world without music to an inspiring one of songful praise. This piece and others are very meaningful as we further emerge from the challenges of the pandemic.”
The Rhapsody program also features energetic rhythmic pieces such as Powell's The Word Was God, Holmes' entertaining arrangement of Shaker Dance, and the always popular Dry Bones by Livingston Gearhart. The Choir will also offer profound reflections of faith and peace in works such as Dan Forrest's Arise, My Soul, Arise, How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place by Brahms, and Centenary faculty composer James Eakin's Blessed are the Peacemakers.
The Choir, in preparation for an international tour to Spain in 2022, will also present several works connected in both religious and musical aspects to this travel. These selections include from Ola Gjeilo's setting of The Dark Night of the Soul, Jake Runestad's calming Nada Te Turbe, Tomas Victoria's iconic motet O Quam Gloriosum, and the Spanish Christmas Carol Fum, Fum, Fum arranged by Mack Wilberg.
Building on the “Reconciled” theme and the task of restoring and strengthening community, this year's Rhapsody also features the Caddo Magnet High School Choir under the direction of Centenary alumna Jennifer Jackson, and selections including alumni of the Centenary College Choir.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door, and available through members 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. Student tickets are $10. Masks will be required for all patrons and social distancing will be observed.
Proceeds benefit both the Lions Club's charitable causes and the Centenary College Choir.