Wayne State College to host “An Evening of Choirs’ on April 18

WAYNE – Wayne State College’s An Evening of Choirs presents “On Beauty” an expression of beauty through song at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in Ley Theatre, located in the Brandenburg Building. The performance is free and open to the public.

The performance will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, go to www.wsc.edu/watch-live. The program is accessible by selecting the event from the Music Events list at www.wsc.edu/music.

Dr. Matthew Armstrong, director of choral activities at Wayne State, will conduct the concert, with staff accompanist Shelly Armstrong and Wayne State student Christopher Woerdemann, Wayne, serving as collaborative pianists. Woerdemann will also serve as a student conductor.

The concert includes performances by the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Lyrica, and Fortis. Student directors include Emmett White, Neola, Iowa; Hannah Essink, Beatrice; and Collin Price, Oakland, Iowa.

“On Beauty” elevates four meanings of beauty. Repertoire on the “Beauty of Whimsy and Love” features “The Glory of Love,” originally recorded by Benny Goodman, and “Once Upon a Time” from the 1962 musical “All American” arranged in barbershop style by Tresten Schwarz, Gothenburg. The inspiring “Beautiful,” by Linda Perry and recorded by Christina Aguilera, highlights “Inner Beauty” with “Eternal Beauty” represented by the blues style gospel “John the Revelator,” arranged by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory. The concert concludes with “Beautiful Masterpieces” showcasing an all-choir rendition of the Irish melody “The King of Love” arranged by Paul J. Christiansen.