By CAITLIN HOFEN, Features Editor
The Northwestern choirs will perform in their first concert of the year on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Alva.
Titled “Music in the Country,” the concert will feature a variety of music including “Shenandoah,” “Down by the Riverside” and “Way Over in Beulah Lan’.”
“Our choirs sound great,” said Dr. Karsten Longhurst, director of choral studies. “The students have worked very hard on these pieces. We’re going to highlight some folk pieces, spiritual, gospel and more. We will sing a song in the Māori language, which sounds very interesting.”
Consisting of three choirs, Northwestern’s choir program has younger members this year, Longhurst said.
“Many of our new singers come with a lot of experience,” Longhurst said. “I love the energy and excitement we’ve developed. There is a learning curve with how the program works and our expectations, but they are taking everything in stride. Sixty percent of our program is underclassmen, so it’s been very interesting to see how they mix with our upperclassmen.”
The Northwestern choirs will be accompanied on the piano by Dr. Jennifer Hemken, one of the newest faculty members of the Fine Arts Department.
The First Baptist Church is at 714 College Ave.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Features Editor Caitlin Hofen is a member of the university’s choirs.