MASON CITY – The North Iowa Choral Society is proud to present its 19th Annual Spring Concert – “A Tribute to Robert A. Davis” – on Saturday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the NIACC Auditorium under the direction of Linda Ferjak. Robert Davis founded the North Iowa Choral Society in 1994 as a semi-professional audition-only SATB adult choral group – one of the “faces” of NIACC. The musical selections for the spring concert were largely chosen from works that Davis directed during the years of his tenure as director of the group and are intended to honor his profound commitment to fine choral music and his work as the group’s director and founder.
“I’ve been so honored not only to have been a student under Robert Davis, but to have been with North Iowa Choral Society since it was created in 1994 under Bob’s direction,” said President Julie Phillips Taylor. “Over 100 singers auditioned the first year and I’m proud to say there are still six charter members remaining in the group. Bob’s creation of the North Iowa Choral Society has had a profound influence on my life as well as many others. I will always be grateful for his friendship, his tutelage and his unwavering passion for the art that is choral music. Choral Society members are humbled and honored to present this concert as a posthumous tribute to Robert Davis who passed away in early March 2013.”
Musical selections include Rejoice and Sing Out His Praises (Mark Hayes), Alleluia (arr. Robert Wagner), The May Night (Johannes Brahms), NICAEA (William W. Backlin), If Music Be the Food of Love (David Dichau), Jenny Jenkins (arr. Robert De Cormier), The Deer Chase (arr. Normal Luboff), I Am His Child (Moses Hogan), Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal (arr. Alice Parker), I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart (Moses Hogan), Somewhere Over the Rainbow (arr. Robert Buckholz, These Foolish Things (arr. Normal Luboff), and Choral Society’s signature concert conclusion piece, The Road Home (Stephen Paulus).
The North Iowa Choral Society Children’s Choir will also perform Cripple Creek (arr. Emily Crocker), Peaceful River (Mary Donnelly & George L. O. Strid), John Henry (arr. Rollo Dilworth), and the adult members will join the children on I Am a Small Part of This World (Sally K. Albrect & Jay Althouse).
The six remaining charter members will also perform All the Things You Are (arr. Janet Whitcomb Pummill). Charter members are Chuck Grove, Kayla Halfpap, Lori Quinlan, Leslie Sloan, E. Howard Sonksen and Julie Phillips Taylor.
Accompanist for the Choral Society is Teresa Lursen and Concert Announcer is John Henry.
Choral Society Members: Soprano I-Kayla Halfpap, Becky Hosmer, Maria Meyer, Christine Schmitt; Soprano II-Laura Burleson, Marta Eenhuis, Lori Quinlan, Velda Steenblock; Alto I-Annette Greenwood, Mary Groh, Chris Moore, Julie Phillips Taylor; Alto II-Kristi Brant, Sharon Schneider, Jill Schott, Leslie Sloan; Tenor I-Lowell Gangstad, E. Howard Sonksen; Tenor II-Casey Grove, Dave Pope, Don Vosburg; Bass I-Carlson Shaw, Gary Steenblock; Bass II-Chuck Grove, Dave Richardson.
The following schools are represented by the members of the Children’s Choir: Clear Creek Elementary (Clear Lake), Garner-Hayfield Elementary, Jacobsen Elementary (Belmond), Lincoln Intermediate, (Mason City), Newman-Catholic Elementary School (Mason City), and St. Ansgar Elementary.
Tickets to the concert are $5 and may be obtained at the door the evening of the show or from any Choral Society member. Refreshments will be served to the public prior to the concert in the auditorium lobby.
