American Masterpieces concert to feature three local choir ensembles.

CONTACT:  H.G. Young III, professor of music, 304-424-8248. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An American Masterpieces choral concert will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at the First Lutheran Church, 1701 19th Street.

The free concert will feature choral music by American composers in celebration of the rich artistic legacy of the nation's musical heritage.  Choral compositions by William Billings, Stephen Foster, Aaron Copland, Randall Thompson, William Dawson, Eric Whitacre, Moses Hogen and others will be highlighted.

Performing will be the Parkersburg High School Chamber Choir, Pamela McClain, conductor; Parkersburg South High School Chamber Choir, Melissa Life, conductor, and College Chorale of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, H.G. Young III, conductor.

The concert is open to the public.

In conjunction, a free public lecture "American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Choral Music" will be given by Young, a professor of music at WVU Parkersburg, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, in Room 2201 at the college.  It is free and open to the public. 

American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius is a major initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.  Launched in April 2005, the program initially supported touring visual arts exhibitions.  In 2006, the initiative expanded to include musical theatre, choral music, dance and literature.  Following a kickoff concert in Washington, D.C., seven regional choral festivals were held across the country.  In 2007, the National Endowment for the Arts partnered with regional and state arts agencies to support performances by professional choirs throughout the United States, including a performance by "Sweet Honey in the Rock" in Parkersburg last October.

The American Masterpieces program moves to the local level in 2008 with concerts involving school and community singers.  Additional support for the initiative is being provided by the West Virginia Common on the Arts and Artsbridge.

04/08/08