Tornado recovery: WCU presents "Hymn of Praise"
William Carey University invites the community to a special performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Hymn of Praise.” The concert will be March 5, at 7 p.m., at Thomas Fine Arts Center in Hattiesburg.
“Just over two years ago, a tornado devastated our Hattiesburg campus. Now the Carey family wants to offer this concert in praise of God for our recovery. We hope the community will join us as we lift up our hearts with thankfulness,” said WCU President Dr. Tommy King.
The free concert will showcase a 40-piece WCU Orchestra and a choir of more than 100 voices, made up of the William Carey Chorale and the Southwest Mississippi Community College Chorus.
Four WCU soloists will be featured: Dr. Susan Ruggerio, adjunct music professor; graduate student Lydia Losito of Hattiesburg; and undergraduate students John Marc McCormick of Petal and Conner Dunlap of Marshall, Mo. All three students are working toward degrees in church music.
“It’s a large undertaking. Right now, the vocal and instrumental groups are rehearsing separately,” said WCU’s Jim Armstrong, coordinator of choral activities.
“On the Sunday before the concert, everyone will gather at Thomas Fine Arts Center for a long day of rehearsal. We’ll blend all the elements and then we’ll be ready for performance.”
Four people will alternate duties as conductor: Armstrong; Dr. Wes Dykes, dean of WCU’s Winters School of Music and Ministry Studies; Jorge Gonzales, WCU coordinator of string activities; and Joe Elliot, director of choral activities at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
For more information, call (601) 318-6175.
About the composer: Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the 19th century. He was considered a musical prodigy, composing many mature works, including his first symphony for full orchestra, by his mid-teens. Mendelssohn composed “Hymn of Praise” in 1840. It is a symphonic cantata with instrumental and choral sections.
