PR2005 Aug 18

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Wendy Jones 205-391-2310

SHELTON SINGERS PERFORM IN CARNEGIE HALL

Tuscaloosa - Eleven members of the Shelton Singers had the thrill of performing in Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 31, 2005. Director Glinda Blackshear and Assistant Director Mark Brown both agreed that the concert of the Faure Requiem with chamber orchestra, professional soloists, and a choir of 250 singers was incredibly moving. The singers who were invited to be a part of this special event were from two-year colleges across the nation with a reputation for choral excellence.

Mrs. Blackshear was especially delighted to work under the baton of Dr. Bruce Rogers, whose choral program at Mt. San Antonio Community College in California is recognized as the best two-year college program in the nation. “I had heard the Mt. San Antonio Singers perform at National Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and was amazed that Dr. Rogers could achieve such superior performances with personnel that changed every two years,” Blackshear said. “I was eager to learn his secrets for success – and I was not disappointed!”

Shelton students rehearsed for three hours each day, which left plenty of time for attending Broadway shows, shopping and seeing the sights of New York. Following the concert itself, the performers were treated to a buffet cruise around the island of Manhattan which circled the Statue of Liberty.

“Musically, the students were challenged to go beyond the notes and words on the page to create a work of beauty which communicated with the audience. Many of them said the experience was life-changing and that their whole approach to choral singing would never be the same,” said Blackshear.

Shelton Singers who participated in the trip were Barry Bonner, Erin Davis, April Hobdy, Sarah Hunnicutt, Michaelyn Kannapel, Brittany Norris, Anna Samaniego, Jonathan Pate, and Marquita Poe.