Northwestern choirs to present Soundscapes IV concert April 25 in Alva bus barn

April 16, 2019

The Northwestern Chorale and University Singers return to the Alva Bus Barn (Old Armory) for their fourth Soundscapes concert April 25 at 7 p.m.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of Fine Arts will present its fourth annual Soundscapes concert Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in the Alva Independent School District Bus Barn (Old Armory) at 230 Choctaw. Admission is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated.

This will be the last concert of the school year for the University Singers and Chorale, said director Karsten Longhurst, instructor of music and director of choral studies. Meichen Hou, adjunct instructor of music, will be the accompanist.

Longhurst said he had always wanted to do a concert inside an old industrial building because of how reverberant the acoustics are in them. After he discovered the bus barn four years ago, Longhurst said the Soundscapes concert quickly became a unique tradition that showcased the versatility of the human voice.

Longhurst said before the concert the music groups go up to the bus barn to clean up a little with the help of a few community members. He said he is very thankful for the help they receive and for the Alva School District to allow them to use the space.

Longhurst said the concert will feature a few Renaissance pieces that aren’t familiar to the public, as well as some acapella pieces.

“The vocal polyphony that we do from the Renaissance was sung for hundreds of years,” he said, “but it was meant for echo-spaces like that. It really catches people off guard.”

Longhurst said he thinks it will be a fun concert and encourages people to attend.

“A lot of folks come just to that concert every year,” Longhurst said. “It’s become something people enjoy, look forward to and talk about.”

For more information contact Longhurst at (580) 327-8692 or krlonghurst@nwosu.edu

-NW-