Whitworth Community Ensembles Join to Present “Renewed by Joy” April 14 at Spokane’s Fox Theater
More than 50 talented musicians in the concert band, directed by Kyla Fague and Richard Strauch, DMA, will join the 125 members of the community chorale, directed by Scott Davis ’91, MIT ’93.
The groups will celebrate the arrival of spring and perform an uplifting blend of traditional and contemporary works. Selections include “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” from Oklahoma!, A Jubilant Song by Allen Pote and Homage to Bharat (Reflections of India) by Brian Balmages. Alumnus Justin Botejue ’16, MBA ’22, will play several authentic Indian instruments during the latter piece.
“While all 14 of our selections revolve around springtime and 13 of them are in English, the styles and lyrics represent a variety of moods and emotions of the season; love, joy, peace, kindness, friendship, romance and laughter,” Davis says. “The closer song of the concert says it clearly: Music Inspires All, and music is a gift from God that heals, unites and helps us understand the world around us.”
The Whitworth Community Chorale has 120 members, from ages 16 to 75. Its members include 15 Whitworth faculty and staff members, 20 undergraduate students, and even residents from Rockwood at Whitworth, the premier retirement community on Spokane's north side. The chorale also includes Whitworth Choral Apprentices, a select group of high school choral students recommended by the music teachers from their schools.
Davis says, “We hope the audience tangibly grasps what a gift music is to us, and that through it we experience life more profoundly, more fully, inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds and all futures and hopes.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased here.
About the Whitworth Community Ensembles:
The Whitworth community ensembles rehearse on Monday evenings during the Whitworth University academic calendar from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The ensembles present two concerts each academic year, one per semester. You can register for the fall semester by visiting whitworth.edu/community-ensembles.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
