MC Singers Prepare for New York City Concert Jan. 19
The 55-member MC group directed by MC Music Department Chairman James Meaders will perform Rene Clausen's "Memorial."
Clausen wrote the composition to recall the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists destroyed the twin World Trade Center Towers in the heart of New York City. The tragedy claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.
Four high school choral groups from Mississippi will be among those combining with the MC Singers that Tuesday evening early in the new year at the 2,804-seat auditorium. They are from Clinton High, Madison Central High, the Mississippi School for the Arts and Newton County High. The 25-minute work incorporates several languages, including English, Latin, Hebrew and Arabic, Meaders said.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. performance range between $20 and $100. The MC Singers will be part of a world-class lineup that's graced the stage in New York City for generations. Some of the globe's greatest soloists and conductors have performed at the venue on the west side of Manhattan over the years.
The Mississippi College group will also be accompanied by the Distinguished Concerts International, among others.
Getting the invitation reflects the excellent work by the Mississippi College Singers at concerts from the United States to Europe.
"The Mississippi College Singers received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and the exceptional recommendation given by Dr. Meaders' choral colleagues," said Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for Distinguished Concerts International in New York City.
In January 2008, the Meaders-directed MC Singers took the stage at New York's famed Carnegie hall as part of a musical tribute to mark the birthday of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. In May 2008, 38 members of the MC Singers traveled to cities in Europe for a series of concerts.
The "Memorial" composition begins with the sub-section "September Morning" that paints the picture of a beautiful morning in New York. Other sections are titled "The Attack" and "Prayers" before concluding with "Petitions," "a introspective musical prayer for mercy, mutual understanding and hope for the future," Clausen writes.
The MC group will be in the Big Apple for five days and four nights in preparation for the Jan. 19 concert.
Meaders and the group were busy during the recent Festival of Lights concerts at Provine Hall to help usher in the Christmas season on the Clinton campus.
The Mississippian serves as director of choral activities at the Baptist-affiliated university and as minister of music for several years at Northside Baptist Church in Clinton.
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