Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers to perform March 23

The Shippensburg University Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers will present a free concert of sacred and secular music at Messiah United Methodist Church, 30 S. Penn St. in Shippensburg, at 7:30 p.m. March 23.

The Concert Choir, comprised of students from throughout the university, is an ensemble of approximately 55 singers selected by audition. Their repertoire consists of classic and contemporary works plus a variety of folk songs and show music. Over the years, the choir has sung under the direction of Aaron Copland, Vincent Persichetti, Alan Hovhaness, and Daniel Pinkham as part of week-long festivals centered on the music of these composers. The choir’s season includes several on-campus concerts as well as an annual tour.

On March 23, The Concert Choir will feature George Friderick Handel’s setting of Psalm 21 “The King Shall Rejoice” one of four anthems written for the coronation of King George II in 1727. “Kyrie Eleison” the first movement of Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, as well as the music of Alan Hovhaness, György Orbán, and Tom Fetke will also be included. To conclude the concert, the Choir will sing a medley of songs written by George Gershwin.

The Madrigal Singers, an ensemble of 20 voices selected from the Concert Choir, will feature J. S. Bach’s motet “Lobet den Herrn” (Praise the Lord, all ye Nations) and the anthem “Judge Me, O God” by Felix Mendelssohn as well as some spirituals and folk songs. Throughout the year the Madrigals perform at various events at the university as well as tour throughout Pennsylvania and nearby states. The Madrigals have also performed in Austria, Germany, France, England and Italy.

Cyril Thomas, critic for the Welsh newspaper “Ystrad Mynach” wrote, “The sheer professionalism of the choir . . .was a joy to behold and says much for the standard of choral singing in the States.” In March of 2006, the Singers toured Spain where they performed in Cordoba, Granada and Torremolinos. A tour to France is being planned.

Both groups are under the direction of Dr. Blaine Shover, professor of music at the university. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Shover serves as musical director for Music Theater and Artistic Director of the university’s Summer Music Festival. He is also founder and director of the Bethlehem-based Concord Chamber Singers, a semi professional choir whose work is available on recordings, and the Festival Chamber Chorus, an ensemble of 25 professional vocalists. Shover has degrees from the Pennsylvania State University, Temple University and the doctor of musical arts from the University of Illinois.

The Concert Choir is accompanied by Fred Dade, assistant professor of music at the university, and the Madrigal Singers by Nancy Fogelsanger.