Northwestern Vocal Music Program to Present Masterwork Concert April 2

March 25, 2024

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s vocal music program will present a Masterworks concert at the First United Methodist Church in Alva on Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. The concert will feature the NWOSU Chorale, the University Singers and a special guest, the Alva High School Concert Choir.

The event is free to the public, but donations to help the university groups fund their international tour to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic from June 25 to July 3 are graciously encouraged.

The choirs will perform “The Requiem” by John Rutter, a 37-minute work with seven movements. The piece will feature soloists and a hired small instrumental ensemble consisting of flute, oboe, timpani, glockenspiel, harp, cello and organ. Dr. Karsten Longhurst, director of choral studies and assistant professor of music, will direct this masterwork. 

The Alva High School Concert Choir, directed by Naicee Sutter, will perform at the concert, as well as collaborate with the NWOSU Chorale on a song. The groups will come together to rehearse on the day of the performance.

“Naicee and I are always looking for ways to collaborate and as often as we can,” Longhurst said. “This is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the singing going on in Alva and to support each other and our community.”

The Northwestern choirs will also perform additional songs to round out the evening’s program including works by famous modern American composers and work by the Spanish Renaissance composer Tomas Luis Victoria.

A list of songs to be performed by the groups includes the following:

NWOSU Chorale -- “I Believe This Is Jesus” by Undine Smith Moore; “Kyrie Eleison” by Houston Bright; “A Jubilant Song” by Norman Dello Joio; and “Requiem.”

NWOSU Singers – “Motet” by Richard Felciano and “O vos omnes” by Tomas Luis de Victoria.

Alva High School Choir – “God is Our Refuge” by Allen Pote and “Hands Are Knockin'” by Kyle Pedersen.

For more information regarding Northwestern’s choirs and vocal music program, contact Longhurst at krlonghurst@nwosu.edu or call (580) 327-8692. For more information on Northwestern’s Reichenberger Fine Arts Department, visit https://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/fine-arts.

-NW-