UA Little Rock Presents “Conversations From the Choral Canon”
The School of Literary and Performing Arts will showcase the talent of UA Little Rock Choirs during the spring choir concert “Conversations From the Choral Canon” on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.
The concert will take place in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall on UA Little Rock’s campus.
This semester’s concert features performances by a number of UA Little Rock Choirs—Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorus, and Night Shift—who will be performing selections by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and more.
While the UA Little Rock Choirs have typically performed more contemporary pieces, Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, shares what it means to perform works from the traditional canon.
“Exploring these ideas reveals that we are not so different from those who lived and worked in other places in the world and in ages past,” Mason said. “To be human carries with it a sense of wonder and beauty, pain, relationships, artistry, inspiration, struggle, and triumph, and to share this music brings us closer together and closer to the brilliant human beings who dedicated their own lifetimes to composing it.”
During rehearsals, Mason has found herself not only appreciating each piece among the selection, but also appreciating the excitement from students as they perform works from centuries ago.
“This is the music that welcomed me into the world of choral music, and sharing it with these singers has been a joyful journey,” Mason said. “Hearing students talk about how fun it is to sing Mozart or how enlightening it is to learn about Brahm’s ‘Requiem’ is rewarding, and it opens the door to enriching conversation with students.”
“Conversations From the Choral Canon” is a free concert and is open to the public. For more information, contact the School of Literary and Performing Arts at 501-916-3291 or slpa@ualr.edu.
