CANTON, MO (03/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Continuing a spring tour tradition that spans more than 60 years, Austin Pyrtle, freshman musical theatre major of Davenport, Iowa, joined the Culver-Stockton College Concert and Chamber Choirs and the Wind Ensemble for the annual musical ensemble tour. This year's tour brought the groups to Chicago to perform in regional high schools, as well as churches associated with the College's Disciples of Christ (DOC) denominational affiliation, Wednesday, Feb. 25 through Sunday, March 1.
Local audiences were invited to hear these ensembles in a Tour Preview concert, Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. on campus in Campbell Auditorium. Other stops on the ensemble tour included the First Christian Church in Burlington, Iowa, the Edwards United Church of Christ in Davenport, Iowa, and the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago.
During the ensemble tour concerts, C-SC's premiere performing ensembles debuted music they prepared specially for the tour. Under the direction of Dr. Elliot Jones, professor of choral activities and professor of music, the Concert Choir and Chamber Choir presented music by Duke Ellington and a brand new piece by Stephen Paulus. Faculty pianist Dr. Dylan Marney, assistant professor of music, accompanied the choir in Norman Dello Joio's "A Jubilant Song," a setting of poetry by Walt Whitman.
The Wind Ensemble explored dynamic levels of instrumentation by showcasing winners of the student concerto-aria competition. Dr. Trent Hollinger, assistant professor of music, directed the Wind Ensemble. The lyrical side of the Jazz Ensemble was also featured through Sammy Nestico's "Song for Sarah." Dr. Tom Polett, professor of music, directed the Jazz Ensemble.
Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.
