Tenth annual performance of "A Seasonal Choral Flourish" scheduled

(From Southern News Service)

In what has become a popular holiday tradition, the 10th annual performance of “A Seasonal Choral Flourish” will be offered at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 812 S. Pearl Ave.

The concert will feature the Missouri Southern Chamber Singers, Madrigal Singers and Concert Chorale, with Dr. David Sharlow conducting and accompaniment by Glenda Austin.

The MSSU Faculty Brass Quintet and Percussion will also perform, as well as the Trumpet Ensemble.

Sharlow, the university’s director of choral activities, said he began looking at area churches 10 years ago as a way to change up Missouri Southern’s traditional Christmas concert. St. Peter’s seemed to be the perfect fit for the concert he envisioned.

“Even before they went in and renovated it, St. Peter’s was – acoustically and aesthetically – gorgeous,” he said. “There were some pieces of music I wanted to focus on with our choirs … and that church is the kind of space that music was written for.”

“It wasn’t a bad crowd that first year, but it wasn’t anything like we have now.”

“A Seasonal Choral Flourish” has been held at St. Peter’s every year, except for 2013 – when it was moved to First Community Church due to the renovation work.

The concert has evolved significantly over the last decade, Sharlow said. Classical standards have been paired with pop-oriented favorites, the audience is invited to sing along to some Christmas favorites, and choral alums join in for the closer, “O Holy Night.”

“We want our audience to have a varied experience,” he said. “But it’s also an educational opportunity for our students. We want them to sing pieces that reflect the sort of meat and potatoes of choral literature, but also entertain the audience.”

This year’s performance will feature pre-concert music by the MSSU Faculty Brass Quinet, and the addition of a rhythm section featuring alumni Raemon Wilson and Matthew Clark.

Admission to both the matinee and evening concerts is free and open to the public. Doors will open one hour before the performance.