Concert Choir and Chamber Singers on Winter Tour

Westminster College's Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will sing at a variety of locations in eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey on their annual tour, Jan. 7-14, 2010.

Under the direction of Dr. Robin Lind, Westminster director of choral activities, the group of 44 students is scheduled to begin the "Sing Joyfully" tour with a stop in Harrisburg for a midday performance Thursday, Jan. 7. They will meet with Westminster alumni Rosie Hassell and Chris Latta, who will lead a tour of the state Capitol. The choir will present a concert at Faith Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg at 7 p.m.

The group is scheduled to present a concert at First Presbyterian Church in Levittown Friday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. Westminster graduate the Rev. Dr. Kari McClellan is pastor of the church.

The choir will head to New York City Saturday, Jan. 8, for a Broadway show and dinner cruise.

The Chamber Singers will provide music for the 9:30 a.m. service and the Concert Choir will sing at the 11 a.m. service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York Sunday, Jan. 9. They will be welcomed by John Weisel, Westminster graduate and chair of Westminster's Board of Trustees.

The choir will present a 7 p.m. concert Monday, Jan. 11, at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River (N.J.).

Tuesday, Jan. 12, the choir will visit the home of choir member Montgomery Service in East Amherst, N.Y., and will present a 7:30 p.m. concert at Amherst Presbyterian Church.

The final stop on the tour is a 7 p.m. concert Wednesday, Jan. 13, at The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie, where they will be greeted by Westminster alumnus Craig Dressler.

Senior Amanda Gentzel is accompanist for the Chamber singers and senior Christopher Granger accompanies the Concert Choir.

The program includes the premiere performance of "It is a Beauteous Evening," composed by Dr. Daniel Perttu, Westminster assistant professor of music, and featuring soloists Leah Timm and Andrew McMurray.

Additional selections include: Dominick Argento's "So I'll Sing with My Voice," with soloists James Cochran and Deanna Owens; Byron J. Smith's "Worthy to be Praised!" with soloists Claudia Brown and Alison Paden; Dale Warland's arrangement of the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts," featuring flutist Erin Thompson and guitarist Susan Davidson; and Donald Patriquin's arrangement of "Ah! Si mon moine voulait danser" with Granger on piano and Davidson on percussion.

In addition to Lind, Westminster staff traveling with the choir are the Rev. James Mohr II, chaplain; Perttu; and Melinda Perttu, director of the Westminster Orchestra.

Contact Lind at (724) 946-7278 or e-mail lindra@westminster.edu for additional information.

Chamber Singers and Concert Choir