Athens State Community Chorus Performing Thursday Night

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

May 6, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State Community Chorus Performing Thursday Night

                ATHENS, Ala. - The Center for Lifelong Learning will host the Athens State Community Chorus in an evening performance on Thursday, May 9, at 7:30 pm.  The concert will be held at the Athens Limestone Senior Center located at 912 West Pryor Street, in Athens, Alabama.

                This is the third performance of the Community Chorus.  The Community Chorus was revitalized in October 2011 after a long absence.  “After meeting with focus groups, music seemed to be a good place for the Center for Lifelong Learning to get started in the community,” said Wanda Campbell, Assistant Director of CLL.

                Campbell met with Dr. John L. Buttler in June of 2011 in hopes of establishing the first choral “class.”  Buttler came highly recommended and has already grown the Chorus vocally and musically.  “We feel very appreciative to have Dr. Buttler who drives two hours each week to conduct our chorus,” says Dr. Diane Sauers, director of the CLL.

                The Community Chorus meets every Thursday night in the fall from October to December calumniating in a Christmas concert.  They also meet from February to May with a Spring concert.  The practices are held in Chasteen Hall, which is part of the Athens State University campus.

                The Community Chorus sings some traditional sacred music, but also enjoys singing show tunes, such as "You Never Walk Alone", by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The "Alleluia", by Randall Thompson, is one of the group favorites.  This piece is rich in its highs and lows as only one word "Alleluia" is sung by a four part chorus. 

                Most of the people within the chorus have not done this type of music since high school.  Dr. Buttler states that, "music is a lifetime activity, and that the voice is easy to carry along with you".  The purpose of the Community Chorus is to build a "core sound to the group" and work to improve the vocal skills of the chorus, while having fun in the process.

                As a long term goal, Dr. Buttler would like to ultimately have a 50 person chorus, so that they can one day perform at Carnegie Hall located in New York City.

                For more information please contact the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning at 256-233-8620.

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