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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Oct. 29, 2014) – The Milligan College Orchestra will present a fall concert of music celebrating film and stage on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Chapel.
During the first half of the concert, the Milligan Orchestra, directed by Dr. Kellie Brown, chair of the music area, will honor the 75th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz” by performing a medley of music from the film.
The musical “Oklahoma!,” composed by Rodgers and Hammerstein, also will be featured. Music education majors Ben Davenport and Amber Vaughn will sing the roles of Curly and Laurey in two favorites from the musical, “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and “People Will Say We’re in Love.”
The Milligan Orchestra will welcome the Appalachian State University (ASU) Gospel Choir and Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Keith McCutchen, during their first-ever collaboration for the final portion of the concert. McCutchen is a well-known jazz pianist and composer who has performed in various countries and plans to conduct in Brazil this fall.
Together, the two musical groups will perform contemporary gospel pieces, spirituals and jazz selections. The music of Duke Ellington also will feature Milligan Associate Professor of Music Rick Simerly on trombone and ASU Professor of Music Todd Wright on saxophone. The concert will conclude with a gospel version of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”
“This will be a very diverse concert with something for everyone,” said Brown. “We have never presented a gospel program before, so we’re looking forward to exploring that genre and style.”
The newest addition to the Hayes School of Music at ASU, the Jazz Vocal Ensemble emphasizes improvisation. The Gospel Choir focuses on singing literature originating from the African-American religious experience.
“I am excited for the performance and the opportunity to find the chemistry that allows our groups to make music together and then share that magic with the audience,” said McCutchen.
Before the concert from 1–2 p.m. in Seeger Chapel, McCutchen will deliver a lecture entitled “Called to Preserve African-American Spirituals.” He will discuss his personal calling to preserve those spirituals, as well as how they speak to the broader contemporary culture.
Both the concert and the lecture are free and open to the public. For more information on Milligan arts events, visit www.milligan.edu/arts.