Feast of Carols choir concert set for today

RUSSELLVILLE — Students from the Arkansas Tech University choral program will perform the 13th annual Feast of Carols concert at 2:30 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church of Russellville.

Admission is free, but those attending are asked to bring canned goods and other nonperishable food items for distribution to those in need.

Performance groups will include the University Women’s Choir, directed by Holly Ruth Gale; the University Men’s Choir, directed by Jon Clements; and the University Choir, Concert Chorale and Chamber Choir, directed by Gary Morris. Brian Conatser will provide accompaniment on piano.

“The choirs will present a varied program of carols from around the world, including composers from Giovanni Palestrina to Morton Lauridsen,” said Morris, who serves as director of the Arkansas Tech choirs.

Morris said one of the highlights of the concert will be a performance of Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Fantasia” by the combined choirs. Clements will be a featured baritone singer on the piece, while Mary Lou Douglas, organist at First United Methodist Church, will accompany the choirs.

Scheduled soloists during the 2014 Feast of Carols will include Arkansas Tech students Casey Chambliss of Batesville, Kelby Nordin of Russellville, Keely Sattazahn of Alma, Brandon Smith of Harrison, Brandon Sorrells of Benton, Ben Stevens of Clarksville, Chris Turner of Hector and Emily Walters of Harrison.

For more information about public performances hosted by the Arkansas Tech Department of Music, call (479) 968-0368 or visit www.atu.edu/music.