Mercer University’s Fickling Hall was buzzing with anticipation on Sunday, Nov. 17 for the annual Mercer Singers and Mercer Women’s Chamber Choir joint performance. The concert, titled Thanksgiving Song, featured a variety of pieces, ranging from classic worship pieces to lyric poetry,
The concert began with two pieces performed by the tenor and bass voices of the Mercer Singers, one directed by Mercer’s primary choral director Dr. Stanley L. Roberts, and the other directed by Mercer Singers tenor Jonathan Hannah, a first-year conducting Master’s student. This was followed by a performance with all of Mercer Singers, including pieces like Hosanna in Excelsis and Ballade to the Moon. The choir earned a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of their segment, getting the concert off to a great start.
Next was the Women’s Chamber Choir’s turn to take the stage. The chorus began with a beautiful rendition of Daniel Brinsmead’s Sea Fever, followed by a sung performance of Langston Hughes’ iconic poem Hold Fast to Dreams. Women’s Chamber Choir alto and second-year vocal performance Master’s student Jill Reynolds conducted the next piece, a German song called An Die Musik, which had a spellbinding quality with its delicacy and allure.
The concert finale was a lively performance of No Time, a traditional Camp Meeting song. Upon the end of the song, the audience erupted into applause, marking the end of another concert from Mercer Singers and Mercer Women’s Chamber Choir.
The next joint performance, Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, will take place on December 8 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., along with the Mercer University Brass Choir. More information can be found on the Mercer University Townsend School of Music’s website, www.music.mercer.edu
