Entertainment

The Austin College Chamber Orchestra and the Greater Texoma Jazz Ensemble together present their spring concert on Monday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Wynne Chapel on campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

The instrumental ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Ricky Duhaime, will present two distinct styles of music beginning with the Austin College Chamber Orchestra performing two movements of a Chamber Suite by G.F. Handel for violas and cellos arranged by Duhaime, and a set of Antique Dances and Airs by O. Respighi arranged by Harry Alshin.

The second half of the concert will feature the Greater Texoma Jazz Ensemble performing a variety of big band charts in both traditional and contemporary styles, including an arrangement by Duhaime.

The Chamber Orchestra is comprised of Austin College string and woodwind students, joined this semester by community members from across northeastern Texas. The Greater Texoma Jazz Ensemble consists of students, faculty, and community members from throughout the region.

The April 17 concert will feature jazz soloists James Carter on alto saxophone, Paul Onspaugh on tenor saxophone, Jesse Speer on trombone, Andrew Gregg on trumpet, Phil Pitts on piano, David Moore on guitar, and Richard Burleson on drums. Section features include current Austin College students Shelby Brooks and Mason Byrd on saxophone and Truman Dowdy on trombone. For additional information, contact the Music Department at Austin College at 903-813-2251.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book College’s That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 40 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates and inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.

The Austin College Department of Music will present its spring Choral Concert on Sunday, April 2, at 3 p.m. in Wynne Chapel. The event, which will include music by the Austin College
A Cappella Choir, The Camerata, and The Consort, is free and open to the public.

The Austin College A Cappella Choir is a traditional college choir singing unaccompanied music from the Renaissance to the present. While most of their concerts draw from standard literature in Latin, German, Russian, and English, the choir regularly performs avant garde and world music, as well as larger orchestral works.

Joining the A Cappella Choir will be The Camerata, a seven-voice ensemble singing music of the Renaissance and Baroque, and The Consort, a 12-voice a cappella vocal jazz ensemble. Wayne Crannell, associate director of music at Austin College, directs the choral groups, as he has for 22 years. Student director of the A Cappella Choir is Libby Jennings of Sherman.

The groups begin a tour later in the week, traveling to the north Houston-area during its annual Spring Tour. On Friday, April 7, the students will perform a 7 p.m. concert at Atascocita Presbyterian Church in Humble, Texas. The groups then travel to Corpus Christi’s City Church for a 7 p.m. concert on Saturday, April 8. The next morning at 10:30, the A Cappella Choir also will sing during the Sunday service at City Church. On Monday, April 10, the student groups will perform at 7 p.m. at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church in The Woodlands.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 40 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of approximately 1,275 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.

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